Main track spur heading into Port of Ephrata.
Example of the poor track conditions at Port of Ephrata.
Project Facts
- By maintaining this rail line, it is projected that over 1,200 truck hauls will be avoided each year.
- Currently, every truck- mile diverted results in a $0.12 savings. For example, avoiding a truck round trip from Anacortes to Ephrata is a potential savings of $58.00.
- With over 2,000 acres of industrial and commercially zoned land, the Port Authority is the largest single landholder within the City of Ephrata corporate limits.
October 2008
The Port of Ephrata and WSDOT signed the Funding Agreement in December 2007. The project went to bid in July 2008. Construction is scheduled to be completed in April 2009.
This project involves the proactive rehabilitation of an existing 1.5 mile rail spur located at the Port of Ephrata. At current rail traffic volume, the track is expected to be closed by 2013 due to wear.
Why is WSDOT
rehabilitating the Port of Ephrata rail spur?
If this rehabilitation does not take place, the existing spur will be shut down as unsafe for rail traffic because of increased rail volume.
The End Result
By preventing the shut down of the line, rail transport will continue to be used instead of shifting all freight to truck shipping.
Project Benefits
- Continued use of the rail line will reduce the cost of shipping goods as compared to truck shipping.
- Will reduce pavement deterioration on public roadways.
- Proactive rehab will keep overall project cost lower as compared to waiting until 2013 for projected closing of the rail.
What is the project timeline?
- Project Charter was signed in November 2007 and the project Agreement between WSDOT and Ephrata was signed in December 2007.
- Construction started in July 2008.
- Completion date is April 2009.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact the WSDOT State and Marine Rail Office for more information.
Environmental Protection
As WSDOT works with partners to identify, plan, and design rail construction projects, detailed environmental review is undertaken for each project. For major construction projects, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is often necessary. Precise environmental issues have not been defined at this time.
Please visit the
WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
It is anticipated that this rail will be come unsafe by 2013, leading to closing of the rail spur.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
No project-related tribal resource impacts have yet been identified. WSDOT will address the concerns of tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following resources:
- Freight rail Assistance Funding Program: $127.000.00
- CREB (Community Economic Revitalization Board): $265,785.00
- Total funding from all sources: $392,785
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Lynnette Gregory
Project Manager
WSDOT State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7903
E-mail: Lynnette Gregory
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