Project Facts
- People who drive or walk through the Vancouver rail yard on West 39th Street must currently cross seven sets of railroad tracks.
- Construction of bypass tracks will increase this to a total of nine tracks.
- Community input was key in reaching the decision to build a West 39th Street bridge above the railroad tracks.
October 2008
The at-grade crossing on W. 39th Street will be closed beginning September 29, 2008 to facilitate track construction and in anticipation of the beginning of the bridge construction at the beginning of 2009 . Local access to residences and businesses will be available at all times.
An Open House was held on September 23 to share project and closure information with the public.
Construction within the Vancouver rail yard began in January, with BNSF extending the siding tracks along the west side of the rail yard.
The advertisement date for contractors for construction on the West 39th Street bridge is October 27, 2008. The W. 39th St. Bridge is planned to be completed in late 2010.
The rail design efforts are continuing. Recent estimates put the project $35.1 million over the $114.95 million budget. Options are being explored to obtain the additional funding needed to complete the project.
Why is WSDOT
pursuing improvements to the Vancouver rail yard?
The Vancouver rail yard serves as a major hub for both freight and passenger trains. It is one of the busiest rail yards in the Pacific Northwest. More than 100 trains pass through the Vancouver rail yard everyday.
This project will reduce congestion, increase safety, and help Amtrak’s on-time performance.
The End Result
New bypass tracks in the rail yard will allow passenger trains to bypass congestion caused by freight trains.
In addition, a vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the railroad tracks at the West 39th Street crossing will be added to enhance safety.
The vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle bridge will also provide greater connectivity between neighborhoods east and west of Fruit Valley Road in the West 39th Street vicinity.
Project Benefits
- Improve safety
- Reduce rail congestion
- Allow for more frequent, reliable Amtrak Cascades service
- Enhance connectivity between neighborhoods in the project area
What is the project timeline?
The first stage of construction within the Vancouver rail yard began in January and will continue through Spring 2012.
The contractor "ad date" is planned for October 2008. Construction on the West 39th Street Bridge is anticipated to begin in winter/spring 2008 and be completed in late 2010.
Public Involvement
An Open House was held on September 23 to share project and closure information with the public.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact WSDOT SW Region Engineering Services Manager Mike Clark for more information.
Environmental Protection
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process is designed to consider a number of environmental topics, including wetlands, air quality, noise, fish habitat, and neighborhood qualities. The specific measures required to protect the environment are in the Final EIS.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Constructing a vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the railroad tracks at the West 39th Street crossing will improve safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
WSDOT has consulted with the Chinook Tribe and Cowlitz Indian Tribe on this project and no impacts are anticipated.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2003 Transportation Funds (New & Used Vehicle
Sales Tax) - $98.723 million
- Existing Funds (pre-existing State, Federal, and other partnership funds) - $16.227 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $114.956 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kevin Jeffers, P.E. – Rail Bypass Project
WSDOT State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7982
or toll-free 1.800.822.2015
E-mail: Kevin Jeffers
Mike Clark, P.E. – West 39th Street Bridge Project
WSDOT SW Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360.905.2110
E-mail: Mike Clark
Jeff Schmidt, P.E.
City of Vancouver
Phone: 360.696.8290, ext. 8581
Email: Jeff Schmidt
Communications
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: SWWebInfo@wsdot.wa.gov
WSDOT will hire a contractor to construct the West 39th Street Bridge and roadway improvements. BNSF will hire contractors only for earthwork and will use their own forces to construct the track and signal.
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