By Amy Moore
New jobs are part of Sunoco Logistics’ announced plans for an expansion at its Nederland terminal.
The company on Tuesday revealed plans to construct an additional railcar storage area that would create 200 temporary jobs during construction and about a dozen permanent jobs, according to the company.
The project, which will include new rail lines to help the facility with shipments of sweet crude oil from production centers in North Dakota, is considered to be the first phase of a project that could lead to more expansions.
“Nederland terminal is an important asset for Sunoco Logistics and this project is the latest example of how we continue to invest in the facility,” said Wayne Turner, its manager. “By improving our ability to handle railcars, we are making sure our terminal stands ready to meet customer needs now and in the future.”
Construction will start this month and is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The terminal will be located on the company’s existing property near FM 366 and the Helena Avenue extension.
On Tuesday, Jefferson County commissioners approved a permanent closure of a portion of the Helena Avenue extension, which runs through the Sunoco property, to accommodate the expansion.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Brent Weaver said closing the road will reduce the need for the trains to blow their whistles in the area — which they must do when crossing a street — and increase safety, since there will not be traffic through the area.
“It was a very low traffic area and it’s a road we’ve had a lot of problems with illegal dumping,” Weaver said.
Residents in the area have several alternate routes, including taking Texas 347 or FM 366.
The project also includes constructing a 14-foot high decorative sound barrier to reduce noise associated with railcar movements.
According to Sunoco, the Nederland terminal handles about 22 million barrels of refined and crude oil annually.
Sunoco announced in December that it will idle operation of its 335,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Marcus Hook, Pa., part of the company’s plan to pull out of the refining business altogether. If Sunoco doesn’t find a buyer for its 178,000-barrel-per-day Philadelphia refinery by July, it will go off line, too, the company has said.
ARMoore@BeaumontEnterprise.com
