MonticelloLive

This is a portion of the MEDC report as it was presented to the group by  MEDC director Truman Hamilton.

The Intermodal Authority meeting was held at the Commercial Bank Employee  Center, Wednesday May 21.  The Arkansas Highway Department agreement has  been signed and they are ready to proceed with advertising for bids on the  first phase of construction. The access road and rail siding are the first improvements scheduled to be put into place. The AEDQ sent notice that no construction permit is required to make the proposed discharge capacity change to accommodate the Intermodal Facility.  When funds are available, this can proceed. The grant amount from the state from the GIF pool was announced Thursday at $154,000.00.  The amount of this grant is the  determining factor of the extent of work to be bid. The GIF funds will be  used as match money to put two federal grants of $400,000.00 each into play.

Arkansas Midland Railroad representative, Tommy Aaron said that the rail  line from Dermott to Monticello is much improved.  The first 18 miles is 10  MPH rail but the balance is 20 MPH.  He said that improvements that Arkansas Midland has made to the rail line have reduced derails from almost 50 a  month to 2 or 3.  He said that 45,000 cross ties have been replaced and work  continues. Of the 600 short line railroads in this country, Arkansas Midland is one of the top in customer satisfaction. In promoting Arkansas Midland  service, the rail company is promoting the Intermodal Facility.  A bulk  storage company located in Ft Worth, Texas has called John Lipton for  information on when the facility will be available. Additionally, the bulk material company in Hot Springs continues to express an interest in locating in the intermodal.  The increasing cost of fuel is prompting companies to use rail to help reduce transportation costs and regional bulk storage is the direction a number of companies are pursuing. The UAM Heavy Equipment  Training Program class provided the machines and manpower, Drew County Judge  Damon Lampkin provided the culvert and Bradley County provided the gravel  for the temporary access road that has been completed.