West Memphis selects engineering firm to help develop TIGER projects

West Memphis selects engineering firm to help develop TIGER projects

City will use funds for rail, port improvements

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West Memphis City Council grabbed the $9.75 million TIGER IV grant by the tail and moved forward selecting a design engineering firm. City administrators plan on improving a rail line, and purchasing acreage near its river port for a inter-modal yard. “We still have a few loose ends to tie up,” said Mayor Bill Johnson.

Two railroads will be working out of the facility that can move freight between trucks, trains and river shipping. Improvements will also be made to the Friday-Graham rail spur coming into the city to accommodate heavy rail traffic.

CRS of Salt Lake City will design the project and work as construction engineers on the project. CRS is a 111 year old company, one of the oldest in the nation with railroad expertise and enjoys relationships with Burlington Northern and the Union Pacific railroads.

Mayor Bill Johnson presented the resolution to City Council for consideration. Consultants working for the city recommended the engineering firm. “This is the beginning of the TIGER grant,” said Johnson. “We’ll see more of these as we go along, this is for preliminary work. They’ve gone through the selection process and this resolution is to hire CRS. We’ve grabbed the TIGER by the tail the last few days.”

By John Rech