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.
back to top