PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority, in cooperation with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is proposing to establish a regional intermodal facility near the interchange of U.S. 278 and the preferred alignment of the I-69 Connector (State Job No. 001851, Federal Project HPC-0018(3) ). The footprint for the new project will include approximately 90 acres for the intermodal facility, 140 acres of adjacent property for a multimodal industrial park, and an additional 183 acres for growth. The dimensions of the project footprint will be approximately 3000' x 6000' (approx. 413 acres) to accommodate a typical train length on multiple tracks.

The study area under consideration incorporates this footprint and extends two and a half miles south from US 278 and two and a half miles east from Drew County Road 16 (South Allis Road). It is anticipated the project area will be within the vicinity of the I-69 and I-69 Connector interchange. Studies for the I-69 Project from El Dorado to McGehee, Arkansas are expected in the upcoming months.

PROJECT PURPOSE

In 1988, Congress established the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission to study the unique socioeconomic issues of the area and make recommendations for future action. The study concluded economic expansion and growth could be enhanced in the region through an improved system of limited access highways for the transportation of goods and services into and out of the region, and people of the region would in turn benefit from improved access to social services and educational opportunities.

In April 1998, the cities of Warren and Monticello along with Bradley and Drew Counties joined forces to form the first multi-jurisdictional Intermodal Authority in Arkansas under provisions of state law. The purpose of the Authority was to promote economic development and job creation in Southeast Arkansas by serving existing industry and providing services necessary to draw new business and industry to the area. The Authority proposed to create improved and expanded transportation in Southeast Arkansas via an Intermodal/Multimodal Facility that would include: Various services for the economically feasible movement of goods by truck, rail, water and pipeline (on-site rail/truck transfers, off-site truck/water shipments, freight tracking, a Foreign Trade Zone, container pool service, warehousing, distribution, consolidation, just-in-time inventory service, and material storage capabilities); and industrial development sites for new and expanding companies. At the current time there is a lack of shipping choices and transportation support facilities that are affordable, reliable, and flexible in Southeast Arkansas (AHTD 1997). A significant portion of Southeast Arkansas goods (wood and paper products, grains, livestock, fiber crops, sand and gravel) and products (hardwood flooring, siding, lumber, plywood, apparel, furniture, and food products) are key drivers for a regional multimodal/intermodal facility. Direct benefits of a regional multimodal/intermodal facility in this area include jobs, wages, training, transportation cost savings, and monetary returns associated with manufacturing activities (AHTD 1997). Indirect benefits include added product value from lower freight bills and timely product delivery, the potential to establish new market areas, and motivation for a broadened economic self-reliance and educational opportunities (AHTD 1993, 1997).

For direct information about this project please call a board member or contact:

John H. Smith, Project Manager
Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
2925 Layfair Drive
Jackson, MS 39208-9507
Phone: 601-933-6221
Fax: 601-933-6206
Email: jhsmith@mbakercorp.com