Date:  Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Contact:
Andrew Wood, Deputy Director, State Rail & Marine: (360) 705-7938

OLYMPIA – In an effort to improve freight rail transportation across the state, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is reviewing applications for $7.75 million in legislative funding available through grant and loan programs.

The freight rail assistance programs are funded by the state Legislature to promote economic development and improve mobility by supporting and funding key projects and operations. Project proposals for funding can benefit state freight mobility through capital rail projects that increase economic development and domestic and international trade, and reduce congestion and roadway maintenance costs.

“These grant and loan programs are growing in demand and we are seeing stronger and more substantial project proposals that will help improve freight mobility across the state,” said Scott Witt, State Rail & Marine Director.

Last biennium, 14 applications were submitted for consideration. A total of 21 applications were received on Aug. 20 seeking more than $9 million in grants and more than $2.8 million in loans.

The Freight Rail Investment Bank program is a loan program available to public agencies and intended for either smaller projects or as a small part of a larger project. A total of $5 million in loans is available during the 2011-2013 biennium. Loans are limited to $250,000 and must be matched by at least 20 percent of funds from other sources.

The Freight Rail Assistance Program is a grant program open to applicants in both the public agencies and private companies and is intended for larger, more significant projects. A total of $2.75 million in grants is available during the 2011–2013 biennium. The legislature determines how those funds will be spent based upon the applications submitted through WSDOT and may choose to increase or decrease the actual funding made available for the 2011-2013 biennium.

WSDOT received seven applications for the Freight Rail Investment Bank and 14 for the Freight Rail Assistance Program.

Applications were received from private and public organizations from all over the state:

• Clark County
• Columbia Basin Railroad
• Tacoma Rail
• City of Richland
• Cascade and Columbia River Railroad
• Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad
• Port of Longview
• City of Napavine
• Spokane County
• Port of Vancouver
• Cooperative Agricultural Producers Inc.

WSDOT will provide the legislature with a prioritized list of projects by Nov. 1. If approved, the funds will be available after July 2011.

Additional information is available on WSDOT’s Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Freight/Rail/GrantandLoanPrograms.

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