SCOTT CITY -- The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority could have rail service by this summer if things move forward on schedule.

"We could have it open to service by sometime in June if everything goes well," said Port Executive Director Dan Overbey.

At the next meeting of the port's board of commissioners Feb. 13, a contract should be awarded for the laying of track that would link the dock area with a six-mile branch line the port authority recently acquired.

The port has also acquired a locomotive to move rail cars to and from industries around the dock.

Bid were opened this week for the laying of a mile and a half of lead track, construction of an industrial spur connecting the lead track to the general cargo dock, and for construction of an interchange track east of Scott City to exchange cars with the Union Pacific Railroad.

Eight bids were received for the project, and the apparent low bidder was Trac-Work Inc. of Memphis, with a total bid of $977,609. The next lowest bid was $996,447 from Railroad Service Inc. of Lakeville, Minn.

Overbey said engineers and the construction committee of the board are reviewing the bids and will have a recommendation for the full board to act on.

If a contract is awarded at the February board meeting, the company will have five months to complete the work after March 15. But if the weather is good and the company can get started sooner, an earlier completion date is likely.

Sixty percent of the cost of the project is being funded by a grant from the Economic Development Administration. The remainder is coming from local funds.

Overbey said that once the railroad is finished, it will be a major tool for recruiting industry to the port.

"You can talk to people about moving with rail, but until you have it in place, it is hard to get people to take your serious," said Overbey.

The rail spur at the port will have direct access to three major railroads: Burlington Northern, Union Pacific and the Cotton Belt.

Overbey said that will be a key attraction to companies needing access to river and rail service.