Rail - Intermodal Infrastructure Enhancement Project - Port of Olympia

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending June 2008

Project Title & Location
Intermodal Infrastructure Enhancements, Port of Olympia, Olympia, WA

Project Description
Expand rail infrastructure at the Port of Olympia's marine terminal by adding additional sidings, replacing ties, and installing active warning devices at the Market Street grade crossing.

Contractor/Consultant
Port of Olympia

Recent Progress
This project received three federal grants. The first two grants under Section 112 were combined into one. A grant agreement between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and WSDOT was executed August 2007 to allow WSDOT to pass through the funds to the Port of Olympia. An agreement between WSDOT and the Port of Olympia was signed December 2007.

This project is on hold until it's placed on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Project (STIP) list.  This project installs lights and gates at the Market Street crossing, replaces ties, reconstructs existing tracks, builds additional sidings, and purchases much needed rail equipment.

WSDOT has been working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) since November 2007 to transfer FY 2008 SAFETEA-LU funds from Federal Highways Administration to FRA.  In May 2008 FRA notified WSDOT to transfer these funds.  WSDOT was notified later that this project needed to be on the STIP list in order to transfer the funds.  WSDOT has been working with the impression that this project was not required to be on the STIP list.  Furthermore, the STIP requirement is an issue between FHWA and FRA.

In working with the Thurston Regional Planning Council, it will be mid-August before the project is on the STIP list.  As a result, this will delay the project ad date approximately four months.  

Design Construction Impacts
No construction impacts are anticipated. 


Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Documentation for compliance with both National and State Environmental Policy Acts were completed. A biological assessment will be required for its affect on endangered species.

Impacts to Traffic
There will be minor traffic interference when grade crossing equipment is installed at the Market Street grade crossing.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Engineering Begins Apr 2007 Sep 2006
Environmental Documentation Complete Dec 2007 Feb 2008
Ad date Apr 2008 Will not be met.  Project is in the process of being put on the STIP.
Construction Complete Jun 2009 May not be met.
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering
Right-of-Way
Construction
Funded Project Costs $2.664 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Carolyn Simmonds, Project Manager at 360.705.7992 or by Email at simmonc@wsdot.wa.gov