The Port Report | Q3 & Q4 2025

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

📌 2050 Master Plan Receives Board Approval

As America’s Central Port looks ahead to the next 20 years, it recognizes the need for a cohesive development strategy aligned with its mission, vision, values, and strategic goals. The Port’s last master plan, completed in 2011, has been largely fulfilled or surpassed by evolving priorities, prompting staff to develop the 2050 Master Plan outlined below. This plan incorporates strategic input, stakeholder feedback, and industry trends to guide capital investments, support funding efforts, and advance the Port’s role in transportation, business growth, and regional job creation. It includes 60 projects, totaling an estimated $355.6 million in planned investment.

Click the image below to visit the website and download the plan.

📌 Winter Ready: New Port Tenant, Swinter Group, Available For Snow Removal Services

The Port's latest tenant is Swinter Group, a snow and ice removal company serving the Greater St. Louis region, which has repurposed a former military ammunition bunker into a shop and break room for workers. Their improvements to the site have included:

• Excavated, graded, and paved a little more than an acre

• Installed a large covered structure to store bulk rock salt

• Installed tanks and equipment to make and store treated bulk rock salt

• Currently storing ~ 6,000 tons of rock salt & ~ 40,000 bags of ice melt

If you are interested in their snow and ice removal services, you can learn more at their website here: www.swintergroup.com

📌 Port Terminal Operator, Ingram Barge Company, Investing Millions To Improve Port Terminals

Projects at America's Central Port Include:

• Rail-Served River Terminal Enhancements

• Safety and Efficiency Upgrades

• A New Material Handling System

• Barge Loading Structures

• Storage Dome Improvements

• River-Terminal Fall Protection

• Rail Track Construction

• Harbor Dock Resurfacing

📌 Granite City Harbor Railroad Project Completed

Approximately $2.6M in rail upgrades at the Granite City Harbor, funded by IDOT, to boost efficiency and capacity, have been completed. This project rehabilitates two key tracks served by Norfolk Southern Railroad, each 1,800 feet long, and upgrades them to handle 286,000-lb railcars. Improvements included new ties, rail, on-track materials, and turnouts to support better internal switching and increased rail transportation and barge loading efficiencies.

📌 Bissell Street Truck Entrance To Receive Extra Lane

This IDOT-funded project is currently in the pre-planning stage. Updates can be found here.

📌 Special Recognition: Rapid Response by Port Maintenance Team Helped Stabilize Property After May 2025 Tornado

In May of 2025, the Port and surrounding properties were impacted by a tornado that caused widespread damage across the St. Louis and Metro East region. Immediately after the storm passed, Port staff ensured all tenants and team members were safe and accounted for. Within minutes, the maintenance crew mobilized, chainsaws, tractors, and backhoes in hand, to clear debris from roads, roofs, and entryways.

Despite it being a Friday night and many having suffered damage at home, every team member stayed to help. Their rapid response prevented further damage and protected lives, as many limbs, trees, and downed power lines posed serious risks to tenants and residents alike. Cleanup continued for weeks, with ongoing safety checks and risk assessments, during which all major threats were swiftly addressed.

If you're interested in joining a great team, we're adding some new spots soon! Check our website here for job postings.