|
Recent Progress
The Seneca Green Giant asparagus cannery relocated away from Dayton several years ago and put its plant up for sale. The Port of Columbia County located two prospective replacements to purchase the plant and begin operations. However, rail upgrades were needed for the operations, so thelegislature provided $270,000 to assist with the needed infrastructure. Subsequently the Green Giant property was removed from the market, and the prospective operators lost any incentive to locate in the area. The Port identified an alternative project. A private company was planning to allow use of a portion of its land as part of the project; however, the recent forest fires eliminated its ability to use land in another area, which created a need for it to use the land it had planned to donate. As a result, the alternative project cannot be constructed.
The basis for the project no longer exists. Although there is a general need to upgrade the yard tracks, the rail operator can continue to provide service for the foreseeable service at the current level. WSDOT continues to explore alternative suggestions for use of the funds.
|