Port Bienville Railroad Recognized for Safety

February 28, 2018

HANCOCK COUNTY, MS - The Port Bienville Railroad is the recipient of a major safety award for its operations last fiscal year. This is the 15th year the railroad has earned the award in the last 17 years.

The prestigious Jake Award with Distinction is presented annually by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association to member railroads with no Federal Railroad Administration-reportable injuries for the previous year. The nonprofit association represents 450 short line and regional railroads. The award will be presented at the association’s regional meeting in the fall.

Last fiscal year, Port Bienville Railroad employees worked 20,110 hours and interchanged 14,550 cars with CSX, said Shane LaFontaine, Port Bienville Railroad’s manager.

Railroad employees completed multiple training programs approved by the FRA including engineer, conductor and hazardous material certifications, hearing protection, track inspection safety standards, track maintenance, operational testing and electronic device.

“All of our programs require that employees receive training and testing throughout the year on all safety rules, regulations, policies and procedures,” said LaFontaine. Recertification training and testing is done every three years.

The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission owns and operates the Port Bienville Shortline Railroad, which connects to CSX’s rail lines, and serves Port Bienville Industrial Park tenants.

“This distinguished award demonstrates our longstanding commitment to the safe and professional operation of the Port Bienville Railroad, which is a major asset to our industrial park and Hancock County,” said Bill Cork, the Port and Harbor Commission’s chief executive officer.

About HCPHC
As the economic development authority for Hancock County, Mississippi, the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission owns and operates Port Bienville Industrial Park and Stennis International Airport, in addition to fostering business investment for NASA's premier rocket testing facility - John C. Stennis Space Center. For more information visit www.portairspace.com.

#Awards, #Port Bienville Railroad