Project Facts
- The Geiger rail spur is named after Major Harold Geiger, an early army aviator.
- There are over 200 acres of available land zoned for industrial uses along the Geiger rail spur.
- A new transload facility is estimated to cost between $3.2 and $4.5 million.
July 2008
WSDOT and Spokane county will be hosting an Informational Open House on Monday, July 21st from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights (Spokane).
WSDOT is working with Spokane county to evaluate a fifth potential site for the transload facility. The evaluation will be completed in July 2008.
The
project feasibility study completed in 2007 found that the transload facility will cost between $3.2 and $4.5 million in 2007 dollars. The funds currently available for this project ($860,000) will be used to select a site, complete engineering and design work, and obtain environmental clearances. Additional funding will be required to construct the transload facility.
A transload facility is a place where freight can be transferred between trucks and trains. This commonly involves the use of ramps, forklifts, and other specialized equipment that help move freight between a railcar and a truck trailer. Transload facilities allow shippers to take advantage of the best features of truck transportation (door-to-door service and timely deliveries) and the lower cost of moving bulk materials long distances by rail.
Why is WSDOT
working with Spokane County and others to build a transload facility?
The Washington State Legislature provided WSDOT with $860,000 to begin preparing for the construction of a new transload facility near Airway Heights. The project is intended to support economic development in the greater-Spokane area by giving the business community more transportation options, access to more markets, and lower transportation costs.
This project is supported by the new rail connection that is being constructed by WSDOT and Spokane County. To learn more, go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Rail/SRS_GeigerSpur/
The End Result
If additional funding can be secured, a new transload facility will be constructed on the Geiger rail spur near Airway Heights.
Project Benefits
A new transload facility will support economic development in the greater-Spokane area.
What is the project timeline?
Site selection, facility designs, and environmental review work will be completed by June 2009.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Contact the State Rail and Marine Office for more information.
Environmental Protection
As WSDOT works with partners to identify, plan, and design construction projects aimed at improving freight rail service, detailed environmental review is undertaken for each project. For major construction projects an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is often necessary.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The new transload facility will be designed to ensure safe operations for trucks and trains.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
No project-related tribal resource impacts have been identified thus far. WSDOT will address the concerns of tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National 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 fund sources:
- Pre-Existing State Funds - $860,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kirk Fredrickson
Project Manager
WSDOT State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7939
E-mail: Kirk Fredrickson
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