Mid-Missouri could benefit from an intermodal port along the Missouri River, Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Director Randy Allen told the state Highways and Transportation Commission on Wednesday.
The chamber has contracted with the Cambridge Systematics consulting firm for a $170,000 feasibility study, Allen reported. That consultant is the same one the Missouri Department of Transportation has hired to look at river ports throughout the state.
"We want to see if we can create an area that would create some economic development for river traffic, for rail traffic and for highway traffic," Allen said in his annual presentation to the commission that oversees MoDOT operations.
"The proposed site in Cole County is between the prison and the state National Guard headquarters" in eastern Jefferson City, on land the state owns and the National Guard maintains, he said. "It's also adjacent to our industrial park, which would be handy."
Allen said the Missouri National Guard has also expressed an interest in having a port.
"They would really like the ability to ship some of their equipment on a barge, and by rail as well," he said.
The site could connect a port with the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that run just south of the land and with U.S. 50/63 about a mile farther south.
Allen said Callaway County also has been looking at a possible river port west of the Jefferson City bridges over the Missouri River, which would have access to U.S. 54 and 63 - so that second site also is part of the feasibility study.
Officials envision the project having two stages, he said.
"If the first phase shows it is not feasible, we would not proceed to the second phase," Allen said.
However, if the consultant finds the proposed port could work, then the chamber would apply to MoDOT for permission and assistance in building it.
Last month, after presenting the idea to the Cole County Commission, Allen told the News Tribune: "We believe there is a need for an intermodal river port in Central Missouri, since there is only one port authority, currently inactive, between St. Louis and Kansas City on the Missouri River.
"We believe there will be a renaissance of ports because they can provide cheaper transportation of goods, they are environmentally friendly and can take trucks off of highways reducing congestion and wear and tear on roads."
Allen told the commission they hope the study will be finished by this fall.