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Project Title & Location
Mt. Vernon Siding Upgrade – Mt. Vernon
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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.
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Recent Progress
This project requires the closure of Hickox Road at-grade crossing. BNSF petitioned the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) in April 2008 to close the crossing. The WUTC held subsequent hearings and issued an order to close the crossing with some conditions. The WUTC responded to the reconsideration request by an adjacent land owner in mid-January 2009. The WUTC did not change its Final Order except to add cul-de-sacs on either side of the at-grade crossing, increasing the cost of the project up to $75,000.
WSDOT proposed that the project be moved into the 2011-2013 biennium as BNSF seeks additional funding.
In January 2009 the State was notified that the lawsuit against the State Rail and Marine Office was dismissed.
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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 Policy Acts. The second phase of the project, the siding extension, required a biological assessment to determine its effects on endangered species. In February 2006 a wetland was discovered; a wetland fill permit has been processed.
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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 to allow the siding extension to be used.
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