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.
