Work is underway at the New York terminal of Montreal-based McInnis Cement, whose eastern Quebec mill is nearing production and positioned to supply markets from the Mid-Atlantic to the Great Lakes. The south Bronx site is part of McInnis’ network of terminals, strategically located throughout the eastern portion of North America and chosen for their access to efficient waterways, as well as their proximity to the market to minimize customers’ tanker truck miles.
When completed, the 74,600-sq.-ft. terminal will feature a new warehouse that can store 43,000 tons of cement and load up to 80 trucks per day. Cement will be delivered to the terminal from McInnis’ plant in Port-Daniel—Gascons, Quebec. A barge-mounted ship unloader traveling between New York and Providence, R.I., will be used to pneumatically transfer the cement into the warehouse.
In the future, the area is expected to see more than $60 billion in infrastructure projects and another $7.7 billion in Superstorm Sandy repairs, creating a much-needed demand for concrete. The Bronx terminal will allow McInnis customers to participate in these projects while reducing their transportation costs and environmental impact.
The facility feature 24/7 operations to best serve its local market. A rooftop solar array will reduce strains on the local power and a fully enclosed truckload out will mitigate dust. The around-the-clock operations in conjunction with the terminal proximity to concrete plants will dramatically reduce truck traffic and associated emissions in the Bronx.
“We are very excited to being one step closer to delivering cement to our customers in this area and along the east coast,” said McInnis Cement CEO Herve Mallet. “Once complete, the facility will set a new standard for development in the New York City Harbor, placing in harmony an industrial operation, with a natural wildlife habitat and waterfront access for citizens of the South Bronx.”
Extensive remediation efforts were made to transform the multi-acre property into a sustainable site. Inserted between the terminal and protected wetlands is a new quarter-mile segment of the South Bronx Greenway, which includes a bike and pedestrian path. This path is an integral part of the McInnis development and will allow the local population to regain access to the East River.
