MUSKOGEE: Port of Muskogee officials renewed their efforts to secure a federal transportation grant to fund a multimillion-dollar railroad project necessary to accommodate modern locomotives. The $11.58 million project, of which the Muskogee City-County Port Authority would pay nearly $5.79 million as a required cost-share commitment, would include an expansion of the port’s railroad marshaling yard. This will be the third time the port authority has applied for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant. The highly competitive discretionary grant program was authorized initially by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Port Director Scott Robinson said it was unknown until September whether the grant program would be funded this year. U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced on Sept. 6 that $500 million would be made available for TIGER IX grants and set an Oct. 16 deadline for the submission of applications. Given the narrow window of opportunity, Robinson was authorized to spend up to $12,500 for the assistance of two firms to help assemble and deliver the application and supporting materials. Port authority directors also approved the financial commitment required for the cost-sharing match should an award be made for the rail projects. “We have to have modern access: a high-speed switch, a safe and modern crossing, and proper curvature,” Robinson said about the need to upgrade rail access to the port. “We have missed out on some opportunities because of the curvature, and we will just miss out on more — at some point … the business we do every day will become at risk.” The project would lengthen the arc of the railroad track that enters the port’s marshaling yard from the north, increasing safety and efficiency. Improved rail access to the port would enhance “connectivity between barge and rail” traffic at the inland port.
Upgrades are needed to accommodate six-axle locomotives, the rail industry’s modern standard. The narrow arc of the existing rail entrance to the port restricts access to four-axle locomotives, which are being phased out of existence. Robinson has described ongoing efforts to improve rail access into the port as “an extremely important part of our growth strategy.” Preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies for the project have been completed, and securing the funds needed to move forward is the next step. “If we get this access improved, there will be a higher likelihood that we will see some unit trains — some 100-car trains — coming into the port,” Robinson said. “That will change the picture a lot — one way or another we have to get this access improved.” Robinson said letters of support were submitted by tribal leaders, members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and numerous stakeholders. He said the port authority is “invested in this project,” with more than $155,000 already invested in the project for such things as preliminary engineering, design and environmental impact studies, which are necessary to move the project forward. Robinson said earlier this year that alternative sources of funding should be considered if the authority is unable to secure a grant. Authority to do so has yet be granted by directors despite their support for the project.
