The Intermodal System

With currently committed improvements to the transportation infrastructure Obion County will be able to offer a transportation system that includes all four modes of transport, providing companies the ability to competitively interact between markets worldwide. These make up the Intermodal System and are:

Air Transport

The Everett Stewart Airport is classified a “community business” general aviation airport.  The airport currently has a 5,000 foot runway, operates with an ILS, a full parallel taxiway, a relatively new terminal facility constructed in 1989, and three hangars to service customer needs.   The airport has been in service since 1949 and can serve 26% of the nation’s most popular business jet aircraft at their maximum operating range.

During 2005, initiatives were implemented to vastly improve the airport’s capacity and its ability to service a broader range of aircraft with the ultimate goal of becoming classified as a “Regional Service” airport.

In early 2006, the Everett Stewart Airport Operating Plan was revised/updated to reflect ongoing improvement as well as planned future expansion.  The updated operating plan was approved by the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission and permits runway and parallel taxiway expansion to 7,000 feet.

One million, one-hundred thousand dollars $1.1 million) has been approved for runway extension.  Project designs, an environmental study, and justification were completed during mid 2006.  During early 2007, construction will begin for expansion for the runway to 6,500 feet.  Funds will be south during 2007 to expand the runway to 7,000 feet.  This expansion will enable the airport to service in excess of 80% of the nation’s most popular business jet aircraft at their maximum operating capacity.

Additionally, a $2.25 million construction project to reconstruct the existing taxiway, improve the electrical infrastructure, and redevelop paved surfaces around the terminal building was completed during 2006.  Concomitant with these developments, the Tennessee DOT has approved the construction of new access to the airport from SR 22, a four-lane corridor connecting U.S. 51 to I-40 at Parker’s Crossroads, Tennessee.  This project will be constructed during 2007-08 and is estimated to cost over $4.0 million.

Future projects include the development of a crossing runway, flight control center, improved airport security, a new fuel farm, and construction of additional hangars to meet growing need along with redesignation of the airport to a “Regional Service” facility.

In addition to the airport facility itself, the county owns approximately 700 adjoining acres of land.  This property is near level and is currently utilized for agricultural purposes.  This property is near level and is currently utilized for agricultural purposes.  This property is readily available for industrial, distribution, and/or commercial development and will be made available as demand around the airport continues to grow.

Highway

Highway transport continues to strengthen with improvements to U.S. 51, State Route (SR) 45, and SR 22.  U.S. 51 and SR 22 are four-lane corridors while SR 45 is scheduled to be upgraded to four-lane within the next three years.  This transport infrastructure connects the community to the Kentucky Interstate System, Interstate 40 to the south, and Interstate 55 through Missouri and Arkansas to St. Louis/Memphis.  The newly funded Interstate 69 will pass directly through Union City/Obion County and will provide a total of eight interchanges for convenient access.  Subsurface analysis, surveying, and property appraisals have been completed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

I-69:

All rights-of-ways were surveyed during 2005, design has been completed, and all affected properties appraised.  The Right-of-Way acquisition phase of I-69 development was initiated during late summer, 2006.  Construction is scheduled to begin during mid-2007 with the completion of I-69 through Obion County in late 2010 or early 2011.

Tennessee Department of Transportation – Project I-69

Rail:

The region is currently served by the Canadian National (CN) Railroad extending from Montreal, Canada, south to New Orleans, Louisiana.  The CN system provides world class rail service as well as connection to all seven Class 1 railroads within the United States.

CN Railroad

Water Transport:

The Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is presently constructing a new $23-million deepwater/slackwater port facility on the Mississippi River near Tiptonville, Tennessee.  The Port of Cates Landing has already been recognized as Tennessee’s second most important river port facility.

The harbor will be 9,000 feet in length with a nine-foot deep channel at low water with an additional two-foot overdredge.  The bottom width will be 130 feet and the facility will provide a 300-foot diameter turning basin at the upper end of the channel.  The low water depth of the Mississippi River is 23 feet at the port facility entrance.

For information contact:

Obion County Joint Economic Development Council
(731) 885-0211
jcooper@obioncounty.org

Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority
(731) 287-4600
jew@despower.com

Port of Cates Landing Brochure

Port of Cates Landing Website