OmniTRAX, the rail and real estate affiliate of The Broe Group, recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of its Texas rail affiliate, Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway, at a ceremony of economic and community partners in Brownsville.

Dignitaries from the Port of Brownsville, state and local economic partners, community leaders, and rail customers joined a leadership delegation from OmniTRAX and BRG to recognize the railroad’s pivotal role in keeping North American supply chains moving safely and smoothly. A $12 billion North American commerce engine, the Port of Brownsville handled nearly 18 million tons of cargo over the past year.

“For four decades, The Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway has kept America’s supply chains moving with vital rail service that connects the Port of Brownsville to the North American freight network,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “We celebrate the BRG’s 40th anniversary and look forward to decades more of partnership as the Port of Brownsville continues to be a major economic engine of North American commerce.”

Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway was formed in 1984 to serve the rail service needs for the Brownsville Navigation District. The BND, which manages the Port of Brownsville’s 40,000 acres, enlisted safety and service leader OmniTRAX to operate the Port’s 45 miles of rail lines within the Port of Brownsville. The BRG interchanges with Union Pacific, CPKC’s Mexican line, and BNSF, seamlessly connecting the Port’s record-breaking shipments of steel, agricultural products, food products and commodities to the North American rail network.

“The Port of Brownsville has posted record-breaking growth decade after decade and the BRG has been a dedicated partner with each history-making milestone,” said BRG President Shariff Gonnella. “BRG’s ability to connect Port customers to North American railroads in Mexico and the United States continues to play an important role in the Port’s sustained success.”