Knife River gets green light to expand in Texas

Knife River Corp., the construction materials subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, received permitting to expand operational capabilities at its Honey Creek quarry northwest of Austin, Texas.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granted Knife River a New Source Review permit, allowing the company to add a third crusher and wash screen, increase throughput and extend operational hours.

Knife River purchased the 570-acre property in 2019 and has continued to develop it. The site produces construction aggregate for internal and external supply, including for asphalt and ready-mixed concrete production.

With the new permit, Knife River intends to add further production facilities that will be fully operational in 2022. Additionally, the company is adding a rail-loading facility at Honey Creek this year that will enable it to ship aggregate to locations in Waco, Bryan/College Station and Beaumont.

Honey Creek contains an estimated 40-year supply of aggregate, Knife River says.

“This is exciting news for our Texas operations, as they add capacity and rail transportation to Honey Creek,” says David Goodin, president and CEO of MDU Resources. “Having a high-quality aggregate source provides a great advantage as we serve our customers and our own construction, ready-mix and asphalt operations.”