KCS, NS see progress on Meridian Speedway line
Written by jrood
Senior executives from Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern recently made their annual inspection trip across the Meridian Speedway to see the capital improvements that have been made to increase capacity and improve transit over the line from Shreveport, La. to Meridian, Miss., KCS News, the company newsletter, reports.
In May 2006, KCS and closed
on a joint venture to increase capacity and improve service on the line, which
is an important direct rail connection for moving rail traffic between the
southeast and southwest U.S. The joint venture involves the contribution of KCS’
320-mile line between Meridian and Shreveport to the joint venture company,
MSLLC, and an NS investment of $300 million in cash, substantially all of which
is being used for capital improvements to the line.
To date, Centralized
Traffic Control has been installed on 250 miles; 281,000 ties have been
installed; 100 miles of rail has been relayed; more than 100 crossings have
been rehabilitated; surfacing, including ballast renewal and undercutting, has
taken place over 240 miles and 1,500 joints have been eliminated. In addition,
bridges have been rebuilt and sidings have been constructed or extended.
Over the next 12 to 18
months, additional capacity projects will be completed and a planned
maintenance program will ensure that capacity and service benefits are
maintained.
"KCS is pleased with our
partnership with NS and with the progress both parties saw on the line," said
Mike Haverty, KCS chairman and chief executive officer. "The improvements we’ve
made are benefiting customers using this very important transcontinental
corridor. This partnership is another key element in KCS’ overall strategy to
develop the franchise, not only north and south, but east and west."
