NATCHEZ &045; Rail service between Natchez and Brookhaven &uot;will not go away,&uot; Mississippi Department of Transportation Director Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown said Thursday afternoon.

Brown, in town for several highway-related meetings, released information about a meeting between Canadian National Railway Co. and state and local officials.

The officials met recently with CN Chief Executive Hunter Harrison to discuss rail lines CN owns and operates between Memphis, Tenn., and Jackson as well as the Natchez line.

While Natchez officials &045; concerned about dwindling manufacturing jobs &045; have been worried about losing the rail line completely, state officials have also been concerned about the line in north Mississippi.

That line is in poorer condition than the Natchez line, Brown said, but both are just as important to economic development.

At the meeting, held in Chicago, Harrison agreed to partner with MDOT, the Mississippi Development Authority and elected officials from affected areas to reach an agreement about maintaining all of CN’s rail lines.

&uot;Where I came from in Mississippi, we told people the truth,&uot; Harrison said.

Harrison was referring to an earlier letter from his company to shippers explaining the railroad’s intent to explore abandonment possibilities.

Nevertheless, Harrison told Mississippi officials he is committed to keeping the rail services open and operating both lines.

And MDOT is ready to ensure continued rail service and economic development opportunities on the east line as well as reliable service between Natchez and Brookhaven in southwest Mississippi, Brown said.

&uot;We’re very pleased with everyone’s commitment to ensuring that CN’s rail service will be maintained,&uot; said Steve Hale, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

&uot;Rail transportation is vital to our ability to recruit new jobs in our state.&uot;

Earlier this month, officials with Tessenderlo, a chemical company which had wanted to locate in Natchez, pulled out of the deal, blaming the uncertainty over rail service for its decision.

MDOT said details about the rail service strategy are being developed and will be released at a later date.