Norris Announces Short-Line Railroad Grant for Dyer County

November 23, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) announced today that the state will provide over a half million dollars to fund the rehabilitation of tracks and bridge structures for the TennKenn Railroad, which runs from Dyersburg to Hickman, Ky.

“Several Dyer County industries utilize this short-line to ship products or obtain raw materials for use in their business,” Norris said. “The procurement of grant funds for the maintenance of this line represents a sound economic investment in Dyer County.”

The State of Tennessee is providing $12 million in short-line railroad improvement grants, of which the TennKenn Railroad will receive a total of $547,950.00. The funds are provided through a dedicated fund established by the legislature to utilize the taxes collected on diesel fuel for trains, towboats and planes.

Short-line railroads are classified as freight railroads which are not Class I, and are regional railroads that operate less than 350 miles of track.

The TennKenn railroad, which runs from Dyersburg to Hickman, Ky., spans a total distance of 51 miles. Approximately 41.9 miles of the line are in Lake and Dyer Counties.

With three locomotives and 15 covered hoppers, the railroad serves a total of seven different industries and carries 4,300 railcar loads per year. The commodities carried include coiled steel, steel pipe, petroleum coke, electro binder, plastic, synthetic resin, fertilizer, and grain.

Principle shippers on the rail line include Poly-One, Dyersburg Elevator, Hickman Pipe and Tube, SGL Carbon and Insteel Wire.

Norris, serving his second term, is Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee. He represents Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer counties.