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Project Title & Location
Vancouver Rail Project Incl. 39th Bridge Street – Vancouver, WA
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Project Description
Constructs capacity improvement that includes a by-pass of freight yard and 39th Street grade separation. This project will improve schedule reliability and is part of the improvements for the 5th Amtrak Cascades round trip. Currently in preliminary engineering phase.
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Contractor/Consultant
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas
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Recent Progress
This project will construct main line tracks to allow eastbound and northbound freight trains to bypass the rail yard in Vancouver. A rail siding for stopping freight trains clear of the north-south main line and a new vehicle overpass will also be constructed. This will free up capacity on the north-south main line and improve on-time performance of the Amtrak Cascades trains.
As previously reported, the design of the West 39th Street Bridge is 90 percent complete and the cost estimate is slightly higher than previously reported, but within the current contingencies. To obtain the needed right-of-way, the advertisement date for construction of the bridge has been delayed until October 2008. WSDOT and BNSF have reviewed this delay to the bridge construction for its effect on the overall project schedule. While the bridge will be completed in October 2010, the rail work, which must be completed after the bridge is constructed, will not be completed until July 2012; a 12-month delay.
Also, WSDOT and BNSF have been analyzing the costs of the first phase of construction and is in the process of adjusting the overall cost estimate for the remaining rail work. WSDOT now estimates that the overall project is $27.1 million over budget based on a 50 percent design estimate from BNSF. BNSF will provide another estimate, based on 100 percent design, in late August. WSDOT had previously reported that it was likely that a budget deficit would be higher than $12 million. WSDOT did not seek additional funds for the project during the 2008 legislative session.
BNSF has begun property purchases for the western half of the rail improvements and WSDOT authorized BNSF to begin construction on the first phases of construction in October 2007. Construction of the first phase of the rail improvements began in November 2007 and is continuing.
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Design Construction Impacts
Project engineering began in January 2003. The WSDOT Rail Office, Southwest Region, city of Vancouver, and BNSF Railway will coordinate the bridge, roadway, and rail work included in the project.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in August 2003. Only local and state permits will be required, per the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Impacts to nesting and feeding Bald Eagles will have to be addressed and/or avoided.
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Impacts to Traffic
There may be some brief work windows that may affect rail operations for both freight and passenger trains as new track is connected to the current track. Amtrak Cascades passengers may occasionally be moved by motor coach to allow for these work windows. Local roadway traffic will need to be rerouted during construction of the new bridge at W. 39th St. and associated roadways. This closure will be coordinated with the city of Vancouver Traffic Staff.
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