MonticelloLive

The Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Facility board met last week with approximately 20 local officials and guests in attendance.

Vince Hotho, with Garver engineers, told the group they have all been awarded a $154,000 general improvement fund grant from the state of Arkansas.  The amount of the grant is derived from the amount submitted for water and sewerage improvements in preparation for the first occupant at the facility.

The access road construction “right-of-way” letter has been submitted to the Arkansas Highway of Transportation Department, and approval is expected soon. The access road will be a standard thickness, industrial road, designed for loaded trucks.  It will have two 14 foot wide lines, with 6 foot shoulders on each side. 

Garver engineers will submit a “request to advertise for bids” for the access road within a week.

The Arkansas Midland Railroad described railway improvements that are being built with “future expansion in mind”.  The Intermodal Authority will “own” the tracks, so that federal money may continue to be provided for their construction. Tommy Aaron, with Arkansas Midland, has reported that they have put in 45,000 new cross ties on the main line,  and are in the process of upping speeds to 20 mph in some areas of the railway.

John Lipton commented, “with fuel prices as they are, railway transportation will become more appealing” to the transportation industry.

A Garver engineering representative told the group that Arkansas Midland had submitted an estimate of $365,000 to construct rails at the industrial site; including 1,522 foot of straight-line and curved rail, with two switches, at a noticeable savings to the authority, as compared to construction company estimates.

Arkansas Midland did point out that their bid was based on steel prices at that time, which will likely increase the amount of the bid, in the near future.

The group was told that $800,000 in federal funding was based on an 80 / 20 matching program, which will require $160,000 from other sources.  Although this money doesn’t have to be spent by October, it must be “obligated” by the new federal fiscal year.

Obtaining other grants will be helped out by receiving a commitment from at least one tenant to use the new Intermodal facility, comparing this to the phrase “a bird in the hand……….”

A bulk products company in Texas has expressed interest in touring, and possibly relocating to the new Intermodal site.

It was pointed out that the Intermodal Authority needs to have an existing full-time, public employee serve as an “overseer” during construction. Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers agreed to have the city of Monticello provide this person. 

Reginald Glover told the group that the Port of New Orleans has contacted him about having the Intermodal facility serve as a “secondary port” for them, which will include use of the Yellow Bend Port, as well as the Intermodal facility.

The group agreed on the need to get project started that will show each of the three prospective clients of their intentions to accommodate each client’s needs, as well as maximize the use of the federal funds currently available.

So the access road, railway construction, water-sewer preparation projects will all begin to proceed.

Dr. Jack Lassiter told those present that UAM’s heavy equipment training class will soon have a year-round schedule, and can offer site preparation.  He added that the university can use federal funds to purchase a dozer and Bobcat for training purposes, adding “we just need a training site.”

Dr. Lassiter was complemented by the group for the consistent, supportive role that he and UAM play in the community.  It was noted that Governor Mike Beebe had been impressed on a recent visit to Monticello, by the joint effort that is taking place in Drew and Bradley Counties.