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Project Title & Location
Kelso-Martin’s Bluff, Cowlitz County, WA
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Project Description
This project will reduce main line congestion near the Port of Kalama.
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Recent Progress
WSDOT is in the process of completing an Environmental Impact Statement of the entire project area. As this planning process has moved forward, conceptual cost estimates have risen to $459 million. While some portions of the project may be funded by the BNSF, the high costs of the project and the absence of a federal grant program for high-speed rail development have caused WSDOT to consider ways to phase the project using available state funds. Unfortunately, potential phases that have been identified for this project are more expensive than available funds.
WSDOT is aware that freight rail infrastructure needs in this congested area must be addressed. WSDOT has identified a way to use $14 million of the $50 million in state funds to increase main line capacity and operational flexibility near the Port of Kalama and the train station in Kelso. These funds could be used to construct a series of crossovers that will allow trains to transfer between main line tracks and help improve Amtrak Cascades on-time performance.
In early December 2005, WSDOT met with the Ports of Longview, Kalama, and Woodland to discuss the Kelso-Martin’s Bluff Rail Project. WSDOT understands that any proposal to alter the project will be discussed with the port districts, and the outcome of a scaled-down project would need to be coordinated with the BNSF Railway, WSDOT, and the local ports.
WSDOT is requesting that the Governor and the Washington State Legislature, in coordination with local ports, set aside $14 million for the series of crossovers, and re-direct the remaining funds ($35.7 million) to the Vancouver Rail Project.
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