Project Facts
- The spur track is needed for railcars carrying raw materials to the biodiesel plant.
- The spur will connect a biodiesel plant to the PCC in Creston.
- The lower cost of rail shipments is required to make the new industry competitive.
July 2008
There is not sufficient funding to build a rail spur to the CW line of the
Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad (PCC).
Engineering was partially completed last year, and construction is on hold until funding issues have been resolved.
Overview
Lincoln County Public Development Authority secured a tenant for a livestock feed mill just west of Creston, and the tenant converted the mill to a biodiesel plant.
Why is WSDOT
building an 850-foot long industrial spur track at Creston?
The new business can operate more economically if a rail spur is built to provide service to the plant. The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) provided the majority of funding for the plant.
The End Result
An 850-foot long industrial spur track will be constructed on the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad (PCC) to bring in supplies by rail for the biodiesel plant.
Project Benefits
- Minimize the added wear and tear on state roadways caused each year by thousands of heavy truckloads.
- The biodiesel plant can operate most efficiently if raw materials are shipped to it by rail
What is the project timeline?
Lincoln County secured a tenant for a livestock feed mill just west of Creston. Continued operation of the feed mill depends on road and rail improvements.
The project is on hold until additional funding for construction can be secured by the Lincoln County Public Development Authority..
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact the WSDOT State Rail and Marine Office for more information.
WSDOT continues to work with port districts, county governments, and rail-dependent shippers to collaborate on how to preserve this rail system for now and in the future.
Environmental Protection
As WSDOT works with partners to identify, plan, and design construction projects aimed at preserving freight rail service, 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
Work will be done in conformance to American Railway Engineering Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and BNSF Railway track standards to help ensure the safe operation of trains.
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 sources:
- 2003 Legislative Transportation Package (New & Used Vehicle Sales Tax) - $30,000
- Community Economic Revitalization Board grant to the Lincoln County Public Development Authority - $45,000
- Federal grant to Lincoln County - $68,000
- Total Funding From All Sources - $143,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Lynnette Gregory
Project Manager
State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7903
E-mail: Lynnette Gregory
At this time WSDOT, Lincoln County, and WATCO (operator of the PCC Railroad) have not determined if outside contractors will be used on this project.
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