[3/11/04]Discrepancies between Kansas City Southern Railroad and the Vicksburg Bridge Commission on the counts of railroad cars using the U.S. 80 bridge over the Mississippi River is a moot point for now, the commission’s attorney said.

The differences were found in July when bridge superintendent Herman Smith reported that 1,200 cars had crossed the span in May and the railroad reported 800.

An agreement between the two entities charges the railroad $4 for each car that crosses the 74-year-old span. The difference could mean $500,000 annually, Smith said.

At the monthly meeting Wednesday, commission attorney Bobby Bailess explained the counting.

“They have a method different from the way we count the cars,” he said.

The railroad counts as one car an “articulate” car, which may carry two, three or five cars.

The agreement between the Kansas City Railroad and the bridge commission allows the commission to charge the railroad enough to maintain and operate the bridge; but the purpose of the commission is not to generate a profit, Bailess said.

“We’ve been getting more than we need for the short-term costs of operating and maintaining the bridge,” he said, adding that the commission has $6 million in the bank.

That may change when the bridge’s sinking piers that have moved over the years are repaired.

Temporary repair work has been estimated at $2 million, Bailess said.

He said the estimate is informal and will be only a short-term repair to ensure the tracks on the bridge are sound. Vehicular traffic on the bridge has not been allowed since 1998, when officials said the roadbed was not safe.

Estimates and long-term solutions to the problems will not be available until a study by an engineering firm is complete.

In other matters, the board:

Approved a geotechnical investigation and field study to determine the cause and solutions for erosions on the east bank of the river near the bridge. The study is not to exceed $50,000 and will begin pending approval from the commission’s primary engineering firm, HNTB Architects, Engineers and Planners.

Approved the minutes from the last meeting, on Feb. 11.

Approved the February financial report.

Approved payrolls, taxes, retirement and claims for February 2004.

Denied a request to allow 28 cyclists from Wandering Wheels to cross the bridge on April 19. A motion was made for approval by Bob Moss but died because it was not seconded.

Tabled discussion on the possibility of purchasing a portable building to use as a guard shack on the west side of the bridge. The discussion was tabled until the board decides if employing another guard is needed.

Approved purchasing a mower for $7,225.

Approved purchasing a boxed trailer to haul dirt and debris at a cost less than $6,000.

The board adjourned to executive session to discuss a personnel issue.