Memphis Downtown-Airport Light Rail Project on Track

Work is expected to begin soon on a light rail line from Memphis' airport to downtown Memphis. The project has a price tag of $400 million, with half of that coming from the Federal Transit Administration, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the city of Memphis. Initial engineering and environmental work is slated to begin this year. After that work is completed, the project will be put through public hearings, then move through the Regional Rail Steering Committee, the Memphis City Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Houston Metro Running

The nation's fourth-largest city saw the inaugural running of its new light rail system on January 1. The $324 million system is a first for Houston, which has never had mass transit in the form of rail or subway in its history.

Port of Baltimore Sets Tonnage Record

Public terminals at the Port of Baltimore set new records in tonnage handled in 2003. Over seven million tons of cargo was handled at the port in the last calendar year, the highest total since the war times of WW II. Goods that increased tonnage at the port the most included roll on and roll off cargo such as cars, trucks and farm equipment. In fact, in 2003, Baltimore became the No. 2 handler of automobiles in the nation and remains No. 1 in forest products tonnage.

Jacksonville Becoming Model of Security

JAXPORT earned a "substantially compliant" ranking from the Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement in February for it s security effectiveness. The ranking is the highest given. Over the past several years, JAXPORT has added new gates and access control, fencing, lighting and closed circuit television to its three marine cargo terminals. Rick Ferrin, JAXPORT's executive director claims the port is becoming a model of security for ports in the nation.

President Signs Future Interstate 22 Bill

President Bush signed into law a $373 billion appropriations bill on Jan. 22. The bill includes funding of the Future I-22, which would run from Memphis, through Mississippi and on to Birmingham. U.S. Highway 78, which is Interstate quality in Mississippi, would become I-22 once it connects to I-65 near Birmingham. Once that is done, the first Interstate from Memphis to Atlanta would be open to travelers and truckers.