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Project Title & Location
Palouse River & Coulee City RR Acquisition– Various Locations
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Project Description
Purchase the 296-mile Palouse River and Coulee City RR to preserve the transportation corridors for long-term availability. Select operators for each Branch and make emergency repairs to provide an immediate opportunity for economically viable freight transportation operations.
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Contractor/Consultant
Watco Transportation Services Inc. d/b/a Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad, Rosalia, WA
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Recent Progress
Right of way acquisition and operating lease negotiations with the owner have successfully concluded. The State of Washington became the official owner of the initial 194 miles on November 1, 2004. Watco, the previous owner, became the lease operator. The remaining 108 miles will be purchased during the first quarter of the 2005-2007 biennium.
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Design Construction Impacts
Implementation of an operating agreement subsequent to the purchase of the right of way.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The railroad is already in operation and no environmental compliance is required.
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Impacts to Traffic
Purchase of the railroad will ensure continued availability of lower cost local rail service in Eastern Washington.
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