Project Title & Location
Mt. Vernon Siding Upgrade – Mt. Vernon, WA

Project Description
Completes contractual commitments with the host railroad to upgrade the existing rail siding for on-time reliability. Guarantees the continued operation of the second train on this route, currently operating between Seattle and Bellingham.

Contractor/Consultant
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, Ft Worth, TX

Recent Progress
This project will allow passenger trains traveling in opposite directions on the single-track mainline to safely move around each other just south of Mount Vernon. The project completes the contractual committments with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and guarantees the continued operation of the second train on this route, currently operating between Seattle and Bellingham. Engineering began in November 2004. Phase 1 of the project will upgrade the existing rail siding and Phase 2 will construct storage tracks in the Mount Vernon/Burlington area. Due to the late start of engineering, caused by longer than anticipated contractual issues bewtween BNSF and its consultant, Phase 1 of the project may not be completed before the end of the biennium as planned. The overall project can still be completed by June 2007, as originally planned.

As a result, WSDOT is concerned that as much as $500,000 of the $1.83 million appropriated in2003-2005 will need to be re-appropriated in 2005-2007 in order to complete the project. Currently, the 2003 Funding Package has $1.97 million designated for this project in 2005-2007. WSDOT suggests that $500,000 be re-appropriated for this project in the 2005-2007 biennium, making that biennium appropriation $2.47 million. The project's total appropriation would remain $3.8 million.

Design Construction Impacts
Design is scheduled to begin in April 2004.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The first phase of the project, the upgrade of the existing track, will require only documentation for compliance with both the National and State Envrionmental Protection Acts. The second phase of the project, the new storage tracks, may require a biological assessment for its affects on endangered species.

Impacts to Traffic
There may be some brief work windows that may affect rail operation for both freight and passenger trains while old signals are replaced.  Amtrak Cascades passengers may experience brief delays on trains traveling between Vancouver or Bellingham and Seattle.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account