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Last week, senior executives from Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern Railway completed an annual inspection of their Meridian Speedway joint venture to assess improvements made to the 320-mile line between Shreveport, La., and Meridian, Miss.

So far, crews have installed Centralized Traffic Control on 250 miles of track; placed 281,000 ties; relayed 100 miles of rail; rehabilitated more than 100 grade crossings; surfaced 240 miles of track; eliminated 1,500 rail joints; rebuilt bridges; and constructed or extended sidings. During the next 12 to 18 months, the railroads plan to complete additional projects and a planned maintenance program to expand capacity and preserve infrastructure.

In May 2006, KCS and NS created the Meridian Speedway joint venture to boost capacity and improve service on the line, a direct rail connection between the southeast and southwest United States.

“This partnership is another key element in KCS’ overall strategy to develop the franchise, not only north and south, but east and west,” said KCS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Haverty in an item posted on the “KCS News” Web page.