The Port of Nevada and the Port of Oakland are collaborating to offer direct railroad service for imports and exports.
The full-service rail facility at the Port of Nevada is connected to the Union Pacific's network.
The Intermodal service from the Port of Nevada in Fernley to the Port of Oakland has been fully operational for just over a month.
Members of the project say that direct rail service access is a big opportunity for Northern Nevada.
"It's a huge opportunity for Northern Nevada. People are concerned with the challenges of going over the pass and getting goods in or out, raw materials from the manufacturer or finished products out, so it gives the whole area another supply chain option," said Justin Lichter, Vice President of Industrial Realty Group.
One representative from the Port of Oakland says that this direct rail access will save time, money, and resources.
He says that cutting down the use of interstate I-80 will provide more confidence for customers.
"So they can load heavier cargo in the containers, so they can take trucks off the road in the state of California, and then also so they can have 365 days of uninterrupted service going over the pass, because the U.P. doesn't stop when the snow happens," said Bryan Brandes, Maritime director, Port of Oakland.
Using the direct rail access is also environmentally efficient.
Members of the project say that roughly one ton of rail cargo can be transported nearly 400 miles while using just one gallon of diesel fuel.
Along with this, shipping by rail increases the amount of cargo freight that can be sent each trip.
One man with the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce says that this project will connect us to much more than just the Port of Oakland.
"Also being in a foreign trade zone, so not only will this connect us to the Port of Oakland, but it will also continue eastwards as well. So, I know that there is plans to build more ties here in the area which will just increase the amount of freight we can offload here," said Brian Bosma, Vice President of Programs and Partners for Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce.
Members of the project hope that this brings more businesses to the region, which could create more jobs for Northern Nevadans.
