November 2009
On November 9, WSDOT made a presentation on the Pt. Defiance Bypass Project to the Lakewood City Council. During the presentation, several videos were shown on
traffic simulations for Bridgeport Way, Thorne Lane, and Berkeley Ave. There were also videos showing a
comparison of train speeds between freight and passenger trains and a video demonstrating
wayside horns. There were questions and comments from both the Council and community members in attendance. A recap of the meeting with responses to some of the questions and comments is available to
download (pdf 32kb).
The 100 percent design is complete and is now combined with Sound Transit's designs between Lakewood and M Street in Tacoma. Construction began in June 2009 on a small portion of the improvements between "M" Street in Tacoma and the new Sounder station in Lakewood. This work has been awarded by Sound Transit to Rail Work Inc.
The Legislature has delayed the completion of the WSDOT funded work until 2019 to allow the funding gap for Sound Transit's D to M Street Connection project to be filled or until another source of funding can be secured.
At the current budgeted spending plan, the project will not be complete until 2019. WSDOT has applied for federal high speed rail/intercity passenger rail funds to complete the project as early as 2012.
For further information, please see the
Pt. Defiance Bypass Project folio (pdf 1.34 mb).
Overview
The proposed route of this WSDOT project is the same route that Sound Transit will use to extend Sounder commuter rail service to Lakewood.
The two agencies are working cooperatively to develop this route for passenger service.
Why is WSDOT
building tracks for passenger trains to bypass the Point Defiance area in Tacoma?
Passenger trains, including Amtrak Cascades, currently must slow down due to curves and single-track tunnels on the BNSF Railway main line tracks near Point Defiance and along southern Puget Sound.
This project reroutes passenger trains to an inland route. The bypass is on an existing rail line that runs along the west side of Interstate 5 (I-5), from south Tacoma through Lakewood and DuPont. It reconnects back to the BNSF Railway main line near Nisqually, on the east side of I-5.
Freight train traffic patterns will not change with most freight trains continuing to use the existing main line near Point Defiance and along southern Puget Sound. The few freight trains that currently use the bypass route will continue to use it during and after the project.
The End Result
The end result is more frequent, more reliable, and faster Amtrak Cascades service.
The improvements will allow passenger trains to use the bypass route without being delayed by freight or Sounder trains. It will also add at least one additional round trip between Seattle and Portland, once this and one other project is completed. This will also reduce Amtrak Cascades travel times by six minutes between Seattle and Portland.
Project Benefits
- Improved Amtrak Cascades reliability.
- Faster, more frequent Amtrak Cascades service.
What is the project timeline?
The environmental and design process began in July 2006, and was completed in August 2008. Construction began in June 2009 on the first stage of construction. However, the Legislature has delayed the completion of the WSDOT funded work until 2019 to allow the funding gap for Sound Transit's D to M Street Connection project to be filled or until another source of funding can be secured.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2005 Partnership Funding (Weight Fees) - $21.0 million
- 2003 Legislative Transportation Package (New & Used Vehicle Sales Tax) - $21.0 million
- Pre-existing funds (State & Federal Grade Crossing) - $57.9 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $99.9million (This does not include work by Sound Transit on this route.)
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kevin Jeffers, P.E.
Project Manager
State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360-705-7982
E-mail: Kevin Jeffers
back to top