Notice to Media

Group Forms Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facility

May 11, 1998-- Community leaders interested in forming the Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facility Authority will sign an agreement on May 14 in Warren to formally establish the Authority.

Bradley County Judge LaVern Rice, Drew County Judge Garland McAnally, Monticello Mayor Harold West and Warren Mayor Gregg Reep will sign the agreement at the Bradley County Industrial Development Corporation office in Warren at 11:00 a.m.

The Intermodal Facility Authority is the first in the state to be established under the provisions of Act 690 of 1997 that allows for the construction and operation of intermodal facilities. The term intermodal refers to the transport of freight by more than one mode or means of transportation, such as truck trailers carried by rail.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department conducted a pilot study analyzing the potential transportation benefits and economic impacts of a Regional Intermodal Bulk Freight Terminal/Industrial Park Complex for Southeast Arkansas. A survey of local industries was used to determine current and anticipated freight transportation usage as well as identifying deficiencies and needs of present shippers.

"The Arkansas Highway Commission is pleased to be a part of this," Commissioner John "M" Lipton of Warren said. "Intermodalism is an area of growing interest in many areas of Arkansas. We believe this will be an important aspect of transportation in the 21^st century," Lipton added.

The Institute for Economic Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the Transportation Management Program at Arkansas State University, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Entergy-Arkansas also contributed in the study.

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