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Pemiscot County Port Authority

Rail Operator Sought

Request For Proposals
For Operation of a Rail Spur

The Pemiscot County Port Authority solicits proposals from qualified contractors to operate of its rail spur (Track 3710) connecting to the BNSF railroad in Hayti, MO (Sta. 98213).  The completed portion (11,206 feet) connects to the BNSF, which has certified it as an Industry Track (IT Agreement BF28029 follows) and will soon connect to a 2,100 foot privately owned track.  The Port will own no equipment and employ no personnel for the rail operation.

 

PROPOSAL SPECIFICATIONS

 (Port = Pemiscot County Port Authority; Contractor = contractor selected by Port after negotiations following RFP review)

Scope

The operation of the rail spur includes the maintenance thereof.

 

Maintenance

Requirements to be fully met:

Ø      STB Finance Docket No. 34117

Ø      FRA Class 1 standards (49 CFR Part 213)

Ø      Integrity of track, roadbed, bridges, and culverts to support 286,000# railcars

Ø      Port’s engineering inspections during operation and maintenance

 

Subcontracting

With prior approval of the Port, rail spur maintenance may be subcontracted by the Contractor. 

 

Insurance

During operation and maintenance, Contractor will provide complete indemnity of railroad liability insurance to the Port identical to Contractor’s coverage and in compliance with Port’s Industry Track Agreement (ITA) with the BNSF.

 

Railcar Rates

The Port will retain any and all rights regarding railcar rates with the BNSF in accordance with its ITA.  The Port will be paid some negotiated remuneration by the Contractor.

 

Length of Contract

The length of terms of the contract for operation of the rail spur will be determined through negotiation.  Performance based criteria will be addressed during negotiation.

 

Current Spur Status

 

The Port’s spur does not yet reach the Port, but the completed portion (11,206 feet) connects to the BNSF (at Hayti, MO, Station 98213), which has certified it as an Industry Track (IT Agreement BF28029), and will soon connect to a 2,100 foot privately owned track.  The private spur is being rehabilitated.  There is currently no traffic on the either spur.

 

When requested by shippers, the BNSF will either push railcars onto the Port’s spur or leave them on a BNSF siding at Hayti (our railhead).  The contract operator will be responsible for interchanging with the BNSF and positioning railcars for shippers on the Port spur or the private spur.  The contract operator will earn income from the shippers and/or the BNSF.

 

The Port is aggressively seeking state and/or Federal funding to complete the short three (3) additional miles required to reach our industrial park at lower Mississippi river mile 849 AHP.  When that funding for rail construction becomes available, the Port’s spur will be complete, and additional rail shipping opportunities will emerge.  Tenants at our port ship 600,000 tons annually via barge and truck.

 

A Federally funded strategic market assessment of the Port will be completed by March 31, 2006.  We will use the resulting assessment and plan to actively market our transportation assets.

 

Shipping Potential

 

The agent for the privately owned spur has potential shippers who want to begin rail shipments in the first quarter of 2006.  The private spur lies on a 50 acre site adjoining I-55 and within one mile of I-155/U.S 412, a four lane east-west corridor; these interstates intersect at Hayti.  This spur traverses a concrete dump pit (previously used for construction aggregates), and subsequent installation of a turnout in the spur would allow access to the full 50 acres for further development.

 

All questions regarding railcar traffic projections should be directed to that agent:

 

          James Downing

          901-870-0517

          downingmemphis@direcway.com

 

Additional privately owned land adjoining the Port’s spur is available for sale or lease for use as trans-loading, distribution, or manufacturing sites.  Guided inspection tours of the two spurs, the Port, and the area are available upon request.

 

References

 

Proposals from potential contract operators must include references, including at least one state department of transportation.

 

Proposal Deadline

 

The deadline for submission of proposals has been extended to February 8.  Three (3) copies of the proposal must be delivered to:

 

Pemiscot County Port Authority, 618 Ward Avenue, Caruthersville, MO 63830.

 

Potential contractors are encouraged to check this site often as the information here is subject to frequent revision.
 

Industry Track Agreement

Phone: (573) 333-4125   Fax: (573) 333-4216 
 619 Ward Avenue Caruthersville, MO 63830