Project Facts
- The existing rail line follows a circuitous route between Wheeler and downtown Moses Lake.
- The line does not provide access to potential industrial sites at the Grant Country Airport.
- WSDOT spent $270,000 on the feasibility study in 2006.
July 2008
On October 23, WSDOT presented the latest position with the project and how the comments from the Public Open House on July 19 had been handled. After reviewing the use of a more northerly route proposed by 58 percent of the respondents, the project team concluded that this did not meet the purpose and need of the project (to provide economic benefit to the Moses Lake area), as it passed through too much agricultural land and bypassed the industrial corridor along Wheeler Road.
As a result the project team will continue to pursue the environmental analysis and plan to issue a draft environmental document in late June/July 2008. An informational open house will be held in August/September 2008.
Overview
Formerly known as the "Wheeler to Soap Lake Rail Line Engineering Project," the Washington State Legislature renamed it the "Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project" in 2006.
Why is WSDOT
studying, and engineering, rail improvements in the Moses Lake area?
The Port of Moses Lake and other local groups believe that rail improvements in the area will support economic development.
Building a more direct line to the airport may provide the opportunity to use portions of the circuitous route through downtown Moses Lake for other purposes.
Local leaders have developed a project proposal that includes five segments or phases. WSDOT's study indicates that the cost to construct each of these segments will range from $1.8 million to $70 million.
The End Result
The Washington State Legislature directed WSDOT to use the remaining $1.7 million to work with the Port of Moses Lake and the Federal Surface Transportation Board to develop the required environmental documents for the project.
Additional funding will be required to build any of the proposed segments.
Project Benefits
- The project could attract new industries to the Moses Lake area and support regional economic development.
- Shipping by rail could minimize the added wear and tear on state roadways caused each year by thousands of heavy truckloads.
What is the project timeline?
At the request of local legislators, WSDOT completed a feasibility study for the project. WSDOT is now working with the Port of Moses Lake and the federal Surface Transportation Board to develop the required environmental documents for the project.
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 or possibly creating new freight rail service, detailed environmental review is undertaken for each project. For major construction projects, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is often necessary. Possible environmental issues will be defined as part of this effort.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Safety issues are one of the important elements being considered in the feasibility study phase. Any further work authorized by the Washington State Legislature will be designed and built with safety in mind.
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:
- 2005 Partnership Funding (Weight Fees) - $2.0 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $2.0 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Andrew Wood
Deputy Rail and Marine Director
State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7938
E-mail: Andrew Wood
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