Gulfport, MS Branch Receives $20M Grant

Hytec Feb 18, 2010

  1. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Mississippi received a $20M grant from the USDOT for KCS to improve the 67.5 mile Gulfport Branch between the State Port at Gulfport and Hattiesburg. The 2-year program will upgrade the line with CWR allowing 55 mph and double-stack capability. The upgrade coincides with the State Port's $600M expansion, and provides interchange with NS and CN/IC at Hattiesburg, and access to the KCS Meridian Speedway at Jackson, MS via trackage rights on CN/IC from Hattiesburg.
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I wonder if there is also any slight thought of eventual passenger service on this line?

    Boxcab E50
     
  3. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Ken, I seriously doubt it. There's too little traffic density, even with the 11 casinos we have on the Coast. Furthermore, the major markets would be Jackson, Birmingham, Atlanta, St Louis, Chicago, etc., so passenger service would need consensus between KCS, NS, CN/IC, and Amtrak.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    OK. I was wondering if that was any consideration in these potential upgrades. I'm not familiar with the specific area, except through information you provide.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  5. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Mississippi is predominately an agricultural economy. Jackson, the capitol, has a population of slightly more than 200,000. The Coast, including 8 incorporated municipalities, has about 150,000, of which Gulfport is the largest with about 75,000. Most other "cities" are 15-20,000 each. To add a final nail to the passenger service coffin, MS DOT has responsibilty for rails in addition to highways. MDOT's dynasty and growth is dependant upon Federal Highway funding (75-90%) as long as all new state highways are built to Interstate standards...and man, is MDOT ever building a bunch of new highways!!!!

    I hope this grant is administered by the MS Development Authority rather the MDOT. It was MDA that got this grant ball rolling back in 2004 with strong support by Governor Haley Barbour and his contacts in DC. If the grant were to be administered by MDOT, KCS would never see the first red cent. By law, MDOT answers only to the Legislature, and every session MDOT holds each and every member's district road projects for ransom...:tb-mad:
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've been reading a book about economics. In one chapter is a segment about a middles ages math genius. It talks about his background and family. His father was part of a community review process, which decided whether a government official got paid. AFTER the service year ended. No performance equals no pay. Great concept! If we adopted that idea, things would actually get done to our satisfaction!

    Boxcab E50
     

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