Laredo, Texas, is reinforcing its position as one of North America's premier trade and logistics gateways with the official approval of the Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway (LGIR), a new rail platform designed to increase cross-border freight capacity and support industrial growth throughout the region.

Authorization from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) concludes a 15-month regulatory process and clears the way for the construction of a new 2.6-mile rail line that will connect manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers to transloading services and comprehensive rail infrastructure in one of the continent's busiest trade corridors.

The STB approval also grants LGIR common carrier status, allowing it to provide public access to the broader North American rail network through a direct interchange with Union Pacific Railroad.

Gateway International Rail Park Expands Industrial Opportunities

LGIR is being jointly developed by Kraus Development, a leading Laredo-based land developer, and Ironhorse Resources, an experienced railroad operator and infrastructure developer. The railway will serve as the foundation of Gateway International Rail Park, the first modern rail-served industrial park in the Laredo market.

The development will support approximately 1,900 acres of future industrial expansion, creating new opportunities for manufacturing, warehousing, finished vehicle distribution, aggregates, and other logistics-intensive operations.

"Gateway International Rail Park was envisioned as more than an industrial park—it was designed to become the premier rail-served logistics hub in Laredo," said Kurt Kraus, CEO of Kraus Development.

Multimodal Infrastructure Enhances Supply Chain Efficiency

According to Matt Cundiff, President of Ironhorse Resources, the project will enable customers to unlock the full potential of rail transportation within one of North America's most strategic trade corridors.

The connection with Union Pacific's mainline will provide manufacturers and logistics companies with faster, more efficient access to the national rail network while strengthening cross-border freight operations. "We look forward to helping customers unlock the full potential of rail in one of North America's most important trade corridors," Cundiff said.

Dan McLaughlin, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Union Pacific Railroad, noted that the partnership will create new opportunities for customers while reinforcing transportation connectivity across the U.S.-Mexico border. "Our continued commitment to partnering with short-line railroads expands access to our network and supports continued growth in cross-border freight," he said.

Project Strengthens Laredo's Industrial Competitiveness

For David Stedman, CEO of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation, LGIR represents the type of investment that positions communities to compete for the next generation of industrial expansion.

"With rail service, developable land, utility readiness, and multimodal access, this project strengthens Laredo's ability to attract new business while supporting the companies already driving trade throughout our region," Stedman said.

Beyond rail connectivity, Gateway International Rail Park will offer shovel-ready sites with utility access and flexible development options. The park will feature more than 40 rail-served and non-rail-served lots, capacity to handle over 12,000 railcars annually, and infrastructure designed to support warehousing, manufacturing, and truck-to-rail logistics operations.

Developers estimate that rail connectivity could provide companies with up to five times greater efficiency for long-haul freight movements while lowering transportation costs, increasing equipment capacity, reducing emissions, and supporting long-term job creation.

As nearshoring continues to reshape North American supply chains, Gateway Industrial Railway and Gateway International Rail Park position Laredo, Texas, to meet growing demand for integrated logistics, advanced manufacturing, and cross-border industrial investment.