MSLLC plans for main line through La. and Ms.

Kansas City Southern announced June 22 that the Meridian Speedway©, LLC (MSLLC), is investing approximately $28 million in 2016 on construction and improvement projects on its Vicksburg and Meridian Subdivisions.

MSLLC is a joint venture between KCS and Norfolk Southern for a 320-mile rail line between Meridian, Miss. and Shreveport, La., offering end to end steel wheel interchange for intermodal customers.

This work primarily includes the replacement of six miles of rail and 83,000 cross ties, and improvements to over 90 road crossings between Gibsland, La. and Vicksburg, Miss., as well as upgrades to multiple bridges between Shreveport, La. and Meridian, Miss.

The cross tie and road crossing work will begin on June 27 and continue through mid-August. Communities that KCSR will work through include Gibsland, Arcadia, Simsboro, Grambling, Ruston, Choudrant, Calhoun, Monroe, Delhi, Waverly, and Tallulah, La., and Vicksburg, Miss. The bridge work has been in progress since earlier this year and does not affect public traffic.

“KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle, and enhance the safety of our operation,” said chief executive officer David L. Starling. “These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate.”