Central Missouri multimodal port feasibility study

Project Summary

The Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce chose Hanson, as a subconsultant to Cambridge Systematics Inc., to conduct a port feasibility study associated with the potential establishment of a port authority in central Missouri. The client identified two potential port development sites. Based on data gathered during the team’s market assessment and other readily available information, major material handling equipment and dock infrastructure requirements for the inland port facility were identified. The team also considered proximity of existing river training structures (dikes and revetments), ability to accommodate barge loading and unloading activities around those structures and preliminary identification of potentially feasible nearby areas for barge fleeting.

The team used its data and analysis to facilitate an evaluation of both sites’ feasibility to accommodate the identified businesses and commodity classifications and provided the foundation for the development of three conceptual site plans. These plans pinpointed major landside development components, including riverfront infrastructure, roadways, rail alignments, work areas, material handling corridors, storage areas and places for future development.

Hanson also participated in three stakeholder meetings and coordinated with the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) regarding a potential rail connection to a UP mainline.

Based on the landside and riverfront infrastructure and other site improvements identified in the conceptual site plan alternatives, the team prepared an opinion of probable construction cost for the preferred alternatives. The team also projected assumptions related to facility operations and capabilities, human resources required to manage and operate the port and ongoing costs.