The Houston Public Elevator was acquired by the Port Authority in December 1992 and commenced operations in June 1993. The elevator is located within the Woodhouse Terminal in Galena Park, Texas. Construction of this facility was completed in 1979, making it one of the newest and more modern export elevators in the country. Continuing mechanical and technological upgrading will keep this facility at the forefront of the industry's export elevators.

The elevator is ideal for shippers who export large volumes of grain and must move their shipments fast. It has a rated storage capacity of 6.2 million bushels and a maximum rated loading capability of 120,000 bushels per hour. Trucks are received on two pits at a maximum rate of 30 trucks per hour while rail receipts from three pits reach 20 cars per hour. The facility is totally automated, allowing operators to have control of all elevator equipment at their fingertips.

With the high-speed handling capabilities and switch rate absorptions by participating rail carriers, the overall throughput costs are among the lowest in the nation. Public Elevator No. 2 is operated by Louis Dreyfus under a long-term lease from the Port Authority.

Location: Woodhouse Terminal in Galena Park, Texas, on the north side of the Houston Ship Channel near the Sims Bayou juncture.

Maximum Vessel Length: 750 ft. (228.6m). Longer vessels accommodated, if approved, by the Houston Pilots Association.

Docks: 600 ft. (182.8 m) overall length. Gangway provided at vessel risk; future user fee may be invoked.

Water Draft: Normally 40 ft. (12.19 m) at mean low tide. Updates available upon request from Louis Dreyfus.

Air Draft: 48 ft. (14.6 m)

Beam: 108 ft. (32.0 m.), others may require turning.

Rail Service: Directly served by the Union Pacific with connecting access available to the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe. Internal plant switching is provided by Louis Dreyfus.

Access by Land: East on Clinton Drive exit from Loop 610, just north of the Ship Channel Bridge.

Tariff: Please contact Louis Dreyfus (713-671-7100) directly for their rates.

Hours of Operation: Normal hours are 8 am to 5 pm (0800 to 1700 hours) Monday through Friday. Capable of operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Extended truck unloading hours during seasonal peaks.

Other Applications: Fumigation, malathion and red dye available on request.

Stevedoring: Accomplished by private companies.

Trimming: Hydraulic deflectors on spouts cast grain up to 20 ft.

Storage: Total capacity is 6.2 million bushels.

Unloading/Loading: Rail cars, 46,000 bushels per hour avg./79,000 bushels max.; trucks, 22,000 bushels per hour avg./30,000 bushels max.; vessel loading, 70,000 bushels per hour avg./120,000 bushels max. Shipping Bins: six bins; total capacity 90,000 bushels. Multigrain cargoes do not delay loading. Screening available.

For Information Contact:
Louis Dreyfus
Telephone: 713-671-7100
Fax: 713-671-7141

Port of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North • Houston, Texas 77029
P.O. Box 2562 • Houston, Texas 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400

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