Fort Smith director comments favorable about intermodal authority

One down, three to go.

The effort to create a Fort Smith/Van Buren regional intermodal authority is a step closer with agreement approval granted Monday night from the Crawford County Quorum Court.

The Western Arkansas Planning and Development District is shepherding a process to identify the viability of creating a formal organization that would develop, maintain and/or operate intermodal/port facilities. The goal is to create a structure and facilities “that would enhance regional freight management and advance the competitiveness of the region’s business,” according to WAPDD information.

The authority requires approval from the governing bodies in Fort Smith and Van Buren, and the quorum courts in Crawford County and Sebastian County. According to the agreement to be considered by the four governing bodies, the primary purpose of the authority “shall be to acquire, equip, construct, maintain, and/or operate an intermodal facility or facilities” in the effort to improve shipping products into and out of the Fort Smith area. The regional multi-modal transportation authority is allowed under Act 690 of the 2001 Arkansas General Assembly.

Fort Smith City Director Steve Tyler praised the authority concept during a Tuesday (July 14) study session of the Fort Smith Board of Directors. Tyler has served on the task force managed by WAPDD to investigate the need for a regional freight management system. (Link here for commentary about an intermodal authority.)

Mat Pitsch, director of the WAPDD effort to get an authority created, and Rusty Myers, director of economic development for WAPDD, briefed the board about the need for an authority. Pitsch said 98% of all freight shipped out of Fort Smith uses trucks, and shippers are calling for a more coordinated and diversified freight management system that will help them lower costs. Myers said the four governments involved in the effort will not be asked for funding.

The Fort Smith board is expected to vote on the agreement July 21.

City Director Kevin Settle echoed many of the director’s feelings when he said of the authority agreement, “This is great. If I could vote for it today, I would.”

Myers and Pitsch said it is their understanding the Sebastian County Quorum Court will act on the agreement July 21, and the Van Buren City Council will vote in early August.

Pitsch has said the hope is to have the 11-page document creating the authority approved by Aug. 27, with the authority’s first meeting of new board members tentatively scheduled for Sept. 16.