Project Title & Location
Chehalis Jct. to Blakeslee Jct. via Centralia, Centralia, WA

Project Description
Upgrades rail track and installs a new railroad switch and signaling to improve train movement and reduce rail congestion. The project will also reduce vehicle and pedestrian delays caused by trains entering and exiting the BNSF main line.

Contractor/Consultant
Tacoma Rail, Port of Tacoma

Recent Progress
In August 2006, Tacoma Rail indicated that they were prepared to accept the terms of the draft WSDOT contract to manage construction of a realignment of the curve connecting the BNSF main line to the Puget Sound and Pacific (PSAP) line at Centralia, and a new connection between Tacoma Rail and PSAP at Blakeslee Junction.  The contract includes a commitment by Tacoma Rail to abandon 28,000 feet of track from Blakeslee Junction south, if further funds become available to replace the storage track in another location.

The process that Tacoma Rail has to undertake following their approval is to gain the support of the Tacoma Public Utilities Board and Tacoma City Council. At this time Tacoma Rail is in discussions with these two bodies and the exact date that the contract may be approved is unknown. If approval is given Tacoma Rail will start the engineering of this project. This is not expected to be before April 2007 and will delay completion of the project.  Funds of $2.4 million have already been moved to the 2007-2009 biennium. The further delay will mean a further proposal to delay more of the funds to the 2007-2009 biennium and a request for a transfer of a further $2million will be required.

Design Construction Impacts
Impacts from construction are not known at this time.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Environmental impacts are not known at this time.

Impacts to Traffic
The project should minimize delays to road traffic in Centralia. It will also improve the speeds of rail traffic, both on the line where the changes are being made and also on the BNSF main line.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account