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Project Title & Location
Palouse River & Coulee City RR Acquisition -- Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Whitman, & Adams Counties
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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 (PCC), Rosalia, WA
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Recent Progress
WSDOT staff completed the verification process regarding claims submitted under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement by the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad. The claims included costs incurred during the transition period from June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007 for maintenance and rehabilitation. They also included unpaid surcharges incurred by shippers during the transition period. WSDOT paid PCC for these items up to the amount established in the agreement. The PCC did not suffer an operational loss during the transition period after the payments mentioned above; thus, no amounts will be paid under the portion of the contract allowing for recovery of losses.
PCC, WSDOT, and lessees along the rail lines began establishing the boundaries for each lease. The set boundaries will be used to prepare a deed from PCC to WSDOT, and to begin a real property management program.
WSDOT staff continues to identify areas needing rehabilitation along each branch of the purchased railroad. The information will provide a basis for selecting the most urgent and beneficial projects for construction in the spring and summer of 2008 using funds appropriated for that purpose. WSDOT began working with local governments to explore formation of rail districts or other intergovernmental entities. When such agencies are formed and rail operations rights are transferred to them, the information developed for rehabilitation projects can be used by the agencies to secure grants from $7 million appropriated for that purpose.
WSDOT continues to explore the options for reconnecting the PV Hooper and P & L lines that was severed when a railroad trestle burned in August 2006 just east of Colfax.
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Design Construction Impacts
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
No environmental compiance is required, because the railroad is already in operation.
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Impacts to Traffic
Purchase of the railroad will provide an opportunity for shippers to continue to use rail as a modal choice in portions of eastern Washington. Truck traffic should be reduced as a result.
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