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

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
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas

Recent Progress

This project will design and extend the existing siding to allow for full-length freight trains to use the siding and allowing Amtrak Cascades trains to pass them.  As previously reported, unknown costs for mitigating the Hickox Road closure, wetland mitigation, and rail control signals exceeds the funds available in the current biennium. This puts the scheduled completion date of June 2007 at risk.

In order for the extended siding to be used as intended by BNSF freight trains, the at-grade crossing of Hickox Road needs to closed, so that trains waiting on the siding more than an hour do not block roadway traffic.  The proposed closure continues to meet with resistance by residents and officials from the city of Mt. Vernon and Skagit County.  In December BNSF Railway intends to petition the WUTC to close the crossing.  This legal process could take four months to a year.

In the 2003-2005 biennium, the first phase of the construction was completed $416,000 under budget, but these funds were not re-appropriated into the 2005-2007 biennium.  WSDOT has requested that the approximately $416,000 be re-appropriated into the 2007-2009 biennium.

Design Construction Impacts
Design of Phase one began April 2004.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The first phase of the project, the upgrade of the existing track, required only documentation for compliance with both the National and State Environmental Protection Acts.  The second phase of the project, the siding extension, will require a biological assessment for its effects on endangered species.   In February 2006 a wetland was discovered.  WSDOT is working to determine how long the project may be delayed.

Impacts to Traffic
There may be some brief work windows that may affect rail operation for both freight and passenger trains as old signals are replaced with new signals.  Amtrak Cascades passengers may experience short delays on trains traveling between Vancouver or Bellingham and Seattle.  The Hickox Road at-grade crossing may need to be closed due to the siding extension.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account