Rail - Palouse River and Coulee City RR - Acquisition and Rehabilitation

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2003

Project Title & Location
Palouse River & Coulee City RR Acquisition– Various Locations

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.

Contractor/Consultant
Watco Transportation Services Inc. d/b/a Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad, Rosalia, WA

Recent Progress
The State, after an extensive due diligence study, has entered into purchase negotiations with the Railroad.  Portions of the railroad will be purchased within the current biennium, with the remainder being purchased in the next biennium.

Design Construction Impacts
Implementation of an operating agreement subsequent to the purchase of the right of way.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The railroad is already in operation and no environmental compliance is required

Impacts to Traffic
Purchase of the railroad will ensure operations to grain shippers continues.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Purchase Complete Jun 04 The purchase of the right of way will be accomplished on time and within the allotted budget.
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

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

Preliminary Engineering $0.0 0.0%
Right-of-Way $0.0 0.0%
Construction $7.35 100%
Funded Project Costs $7.35 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

$7.028 96%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

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

Stephen Anderson, Rail Services Manager @ 360-705-6903 or E-mail: rail@wsdot.wa.gov