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Rail - Vancouver - Rail Bypass and W. 39th Street Bridge

Status

February 2010

Construction continues on the West 39th Street Bridge as contractor crews conduct utility installation, embankment and drainage work, and begin construction on the bridge foundation.

The construction contract for the new W. 39th Street bridge was awarded April 13 to Cascade Bridge LLC of Vancouver, WA with a winning bid of $11,646,360.95.

The street-level crossing on W. 39th Street closed in September 2008. Local access is available at all times (see map at right).

Rail design efforts are complete. The Legislature has fully funded the entire project, with completion planned for 2013.

Major earthwork along the east side of the rail yard and north of W 39th St. as well as rail reconfiguration work between Mill Plain Blvd. and 8th Avenue is now underway.
 
For a copy of the Vancouver Rail Project folio (pdf 2.96 mb), click here.

    Why is WSDOT making 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 freight and passenger 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 2009 and will continue through spring 2013.

    The West 39th Street bridge project construction contract was awarded in April 2009. Construction on the bridge began in May 2009 and is scheduled for completion by early summer 2011.

    Financial Information
    This project is funded through the following sources:

    • 2003 Transportation Funds (New & Used Vehicle
      Sales Tax) - $35.2million
    • Existing Funds (pre-existing State, Federal, and other partnership funds) - $115.2 million
    • Total Funding From All Sources - $150.4 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
    E-mail: Kevin Jeffers

    Joanna Lowrey, P.E. – West 39th Street Bridge Project
    WSDOT Columbia Gorge Area Office
    P.O. Box 1709
    Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
    Phone: 360.759.1310, or toll-free at 1-866-279-0730
    E-mail: WSDOT Columbia Gorge Area Office   

    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 has hired a contractor to construct the West 39th Street Bridge and roadway improvements.  BNSF has hired contractors for earthwork and will use their own forces to construct the track and signal improvements.

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