MDOT Invests in Railroad Projects Across Mississippi

Highway 61 Railroad

The Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) recently approved the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) awarding grants to several railroads across the state for maintenance and improvement projects.

“The railway system has long been an efficient and cost effective way of moving local goods from Mississippi to other parts of the county,” said Transportation Commissioners Dick Hall, Tom King and Mike Tagert in a joint statement by the MTC. “Mississippi’s railroads are a vital part of our state’s transportation infrastructure, and these grants will help make needed improvements that will continue to support local economic growth and development.”

Grants were approved for the following railroads in Mississippi.

• $364,031 – Port Bienville, Bay St. Louis: Construction of approximately 580 feet of new track in the Port Bienville Industrial Park.
• $297,000 – Mississippi-Alabama Railroad Authority, Belmont: Replace 1,100 cross ties, switch tie rehab for three switches, ballast replacement and track surfacing.
• $394,319 – Mississippi Railway, Inc., Fulton: Upgrade rail to a weight capacity of 286,000 pounds, including rail and bridge upgrades.
• $389,275 – Mississippi Delta Railroad, Clarksdale: Upgrade rail from 85 to 115 pounds from mile post 102.2 to mile post 101.

MDOT’s responsibilities include maintaining and improving the state’s highways and interstates, but also focuses on providing a safe intermodal transportation network for airports, ports and waterways, railroads and public transit systems. Each of these modes of transportation plays a vital role in transporting people, goods and services that promote economic growth and development throughout Mississippi.

For more information on Mississippi’s intermodal transportation network, visit GoMDOT.com.