The Port Report | Q2 2025

Here’s what’s new at America’s Central Port.

📌 New Madison Harbor Grain Bin Nears Completion

When most people drive by a river terminal and spot a grain bin, it might seem unremarkable. However, for the Madison Harbor and its transportation partners, our new grain bin storage upgrade is a game-changer. In the past, handling agricultural products like corn and soybeans meant scheduling either truck or rail deliveries, never both at once, and always having a barge ready to transfer the product. Without on-site storage, all modes of transportation had to be perfectly synced.

With the addition of this facility, the Madison Harbor can now unload both trucks and railcars simultaneously, storing grain in the storage bin until a barge is ready for shipment. Add to this access to all six Class-I railroads via the Port's connection to the Terminal Railroad Association, and this flexibility not only improves capacity and efficiency but also gives the harbor a significant competitive edge in the bulk freight market. What looks like a simple storage bin is, in fact, key infrastructure that enables faster, more coordinated operations and opens new possibilities for our customers. (Learn more about bid opportunities.)

📌 3rd Annual Teen Summer "Build Your Future" Workshop Was A Big Success

Thanks to a grant from the Madison County Employment and Training Department, this June, America’s Central Port welcomed a new group of high school students for the 3rd annual hands-on trades workshop, a one-week immersive experience designed to ignite curiosity, teach practical skills, and inspire the next generation of trades professionals.

Structured as a 5-day program, ten individuals from area high schools, ranging from freshmen to recent graduates, met Monday to Friday from 8 am to 3 pm to gain a hands-on look at the day in the life of our Port’s maintenance team. Keep Reading

📌 Norfolk Southern Railroad Project Completed

This IDOT-funded railroad project upgraded about 1,800 feet of track serving the Granite City Harbor, including switches and connections. These improvements will allow for more efficient railcar movement for Port tenants like Apex Oil, Ingram Barge Company, and Friedman Industries, and enable the tracks to handle modern, higher-capacity 286k railcars. By rehabilitating these rail lines and turnouts, the project will help increase barge throughput and add flexibility and resiliency to the Harbor’s internal rail operations.

📌 New Lighting Improves Studio Apartment Complex

The Port manages and leases over 200 residential units, 51 of which are comprised of former U.S. Army barracks-style studio apartments. To improve the safety and security of our residents, we constructed a new parking lot, installed new sidewalks, and installed bright exterior lighting throughout the area, ensuring the entire space is well-illuminated during evening hours.

Learn more about housing options at America's Central Port here.