MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ —South Jersey Ports was honored on July 30 at the Alliance for Action’s Annual Distinguished Engineering Awards Dinner for its ambitious Camden Marine Terminals Rail Freight Modernization Program. The event, held in Monroe Township, celebrated transformative infrastructure and engineering projects from across New Jersey.
Accepting the award on behalf of South Jersey Ports was Chris Perks, Director of Engineering, who has overseen the major capital improvement initiative at the Balzano Marine Terminal.
With nearly $11.5 million in total investments, the port’s modernization effort includes replacing approximately 7,200 feet of aging and obsolete rail, installing new turnouts, reconstructing the main terminal entrance, and significantly expanding the terminal’s rail cargo handling capacity. The project is a key element of the port’s broader commitment to electrification, sustainability, and increased multimodal connectivity at the port’s Camden City facilities.
Once fully completed, the project is expected to triple rail capacity at the terminal, reduce environmental impacts, and drive continued economic growth and job creation in Camden’s Federal Opportunity Zone.
By shifting more cargo from trucks to rail, this project will reduce regional and neighborhood truck traffic, cut down on roadway congestion, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. This supports the port’s long-term sustainability goals while creating a more efficient and resilient transportation network for the region.
This multi-phase program was made possible through three grants from the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP). Key contributors to the project include:
• Urban Engineers, Inc. – Design Engineer of Record
• Tracks Unlimited, LLC – Contractor for the Balzano Terminal projects
• Railroad Construction Company of South Jersey, Inc. – Contractor for the Broadway Rail Extension
The initiative has already produced meaningful outcomes, including:
• Eliminating a steep grade at Shed 1, improving cargo handling logistics
• Resolving chronic flooding near Berth 1 and the Kiln Building, where water levels previously reached up to three feet
A newly awarded $4.3 million grant will fund the third phase of the project, replacing rail along Front Street at the Balzano Marine Terminal, continuing the momentum in modernizing critical infrastructure.
“This award is a testament to the hard work of our engineering and operations teams, and to the strength of our partnerships with state agencies and private contractors,” said Andy Saporito, Executive Director and CEO of South Jersey Ports. “Modernizing our rail infrastructure is critical to achieving our goals for sustainability, efficiency, and economic growth—not just for the Port facilities in Camden, but for the entire region. We’re proud to lead the way in building a cleaner, smarter, and more connected port system.”
The Alliance for Action’s Distinguished Engineering Awards spotlight outstanding and impactful engineering projects that improve New Jersey’s economy, environment, and communities. Other honorees at this year’s dinner included leading firms and public agencies across the state, recognized for their innovation and commitment to excellence in infrastructure development.