Port Alton 

Site Rehabilitation

The former power plant included two coal-fueled units that began operations in 1954 and 1964, respectively. The plant continued to operate until the closure of the site was announced in 2015 and the power station officially ceased operations the following year. In 2018, the Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit advocacy group that identifies injustices associated with infrastructure, concluded that the site while hazardous had potential pathways to remediation for future use.  

In 2019, Commercial Liability Partners (CLP) purchased the site and demolished the retired coal-fired plant power structure in 2021.  CLP is working with local officials and the Illinois EPA to carry out plans and timelines for environmental remediation and ultimately the redevelopment potential at the site. Port Alton Development Corporation has partnered with a number of partners, including ELADC, to remove and remediate the five coal ash pods currently remaining at the site and begin constructure of the port infrastructure. 

Connecting New Orleans with the St. Louis region and the Chicago area via direct rail link to the Elwood Logistics Airport, Port Alton links the Mississippi River, major rail lines, and interstate highways. Strategically located on a 38-acre parcel of land just downstream of the Melvin Price Lock & Dam being the northernmost point on the Mississippi River capable of handling a new generation of high-speed, low-wake container vessels specifically designed for river navigation.

Port Design Elements

Port Elements:

1. • The port would feature a specialized dock with two (2) container gantry cranes, to quickly and efficiently transfer containers between vessels and the terminal yard.

   • The port's riverside quay layout can facilitate new river container vessels as well as traditional barges.

   • The container port will have a storage yard capable of holding up to 3500 containers stacked 3-high.

   • Shared chassis pool for all partner operations. 

   • Five (5) Entry and Exit gates for quick turnarounds when picking up or dropping off containers by truck.  

Advanced Technology and Automation:

1. • The terminal will operate using advanced interoperable port management software to optimize vessel scheduling, manage yard operations and track containers and integrate logistics data between all partners.

   • Automated container handling equipment may be used to speed up operations and improve safety. At present, alternatives are under investigation.

Terminal Railroad Development

The current plan include the development of a terminal railroad to connect the port with five of the Class I railroads: Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, CPKC and, via local switching railroads, CSX and BNSF.  The Port Alton Development Corporation is currently in negotiations with Norfolk Southern to purchased the unused Wood River Power Plant short line tracks. These lines were formerly supplied coal to the power plant.

Two primary activities are needed to enable terminal railroad operations

• Restore approximate 9750 ft. of the existing Wood River Power Lead rail spur.

• Construct:

  • Approximately 4200 ft of track to provide a 3-track ladder yard

  • A crossover and rail head on the former track

  • Switch and signal system to facilitate high efficiency operations

• Acquire two switching locomotives