(The following article by Moody Connell appeared on the Pascagoula Press website on June 24.)
ST. MARTIN, Miss. — Residents from Jackson and Harrison counties fired questions at a Mississippi Department of Transportation engineer over the impact of rerouting CSX rail lines at a cost of more than $1.8 billion.
More than 40 people attended the public hearing Monday night at the St. Martin Community Center to ask about the environmental impact, whether the relocation would reduce train noises near residential areas and who would benefit from the move.
Becky Gillette said her home near U.S. 90 in Gulfport “shakes every time a train passes.” But she was more concerned with the use of taxpayer money to build the new rail lines.
Barry Brupbacher, project director for DM J.M. Harris Consulting firm of New Orleans, said the project is expected to cost $23 million per mile and would be fully funded with federal money. In addition, the project must satisfy environmental issues and win acceptance of CSX Railroad, which would be greatly impacted.
Brupbacher said such a move would affect people living north of Interstate 10.
“It is impossible not to cross some properties,” he told the audience which drew questions from residents living in Gautier, Moss Point, Ocean Springs and Latimer.
Four proposed rail routes were outlined at Monday’s public hearing, the first of three open forum meetings planned to allow residents to look at alternate corridors for the relocation, ask questions and present concerns to MDOT and a team of consultants that is preparing an environmental impact statement. Other meetings are scheduled for Thursday in Bay St. Louis and Monday in Gulfport.
A surprised Cindy Honeycutt of Latimer said she discovered one of the proposed routes would disrupt the properties of as many as 14 families who have lived in the area for nearly 140 years. It would also cut through a family cemetery dating back to the 1800s, she said.
“It just swaps Biloxi problems with those for Latimer,” Honeycutt said in challenging the 80-mile right-of-way route that would pass south of Vancleave.
Claiborne Barnwell, MDOT environmental engineer, said cemeteries, churches and ball fields would not be removed, adding, “We want your comments. This is an exchange.”
In response to another question, Barnwell acknowledged that transporting cargo rather than rapid passenger cars was more of a factor to provide the railroad relocation. He said such a move would remove hazardous rail shipments from urban areas along the Gulf Coast to less densely populated areas.
Most agreed, however, public safety is the primary reason for relocating the rail lines.
Richard Bitler of Harrison County suggested taxpayer dollars could be spared such an expense by erecting stronger barriers at rail crossings and not moving the lines.
Residents in attendance were told elevation of roads over 160 railroad crossings in Jackson, Hancock and Harrison counties would be too costly.
Jan Barlow of Moss Point noted there were 78 incidents of mishaps from 1997 through 2001 involving railroad crossings.
Paula Vassey of Gautier asked for assurances that the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge wouldn’t be impacted, after learning that one of the proposed routes followed Interstate 10.
She said the project appeared to be favoring CSX and would generate heavier rail cars and increase the flow of more toxic waste through the area.
Barnwell acknowledged that CSX was interested in moving more freight faster, but MDOT felt “obligated” to complete the $4 million study, even though it would take nine years to build the new rail lines.
Tony McDowell questioned how potential passengers could access a rapid rail route.
Barnwell said it would require a park and ride or bus service to connect, but acknowledged the project is designed more for hauling freight.
Concerns also were raised Monday night about what wetlands property might be involved and the impact on animals and bird living in the area.
Barnwell estimated four or five acres of land would have to be restored for every one acre of wetlands affected by the move. “We will do whatever is required to not destroy” the property, he said.