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Project Title & Location
Vancouver Rail Project Incl. 39th Bridge – 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 by-pass the rail yard in Vancouver. A rail siding for stopping freight trains clear of the north-south main line and a new vehicle overpass would also be constructed. This will free up capacity on the north-south mail line, improving on-time performance of the Amtrak Cascades trains, and is a step toward the addition of a fifth Seattle-Portland round trip.
The 2003 Transportation Funding Package provides $53.8 million, starting in 2003, for the project. $3.2 million of pre-existing funds were spent prior to June 2003 for the environmental documentation process. Based on 30 percent design work, updated estimates for the project are significantly higher than the last estimate developed in 2002. The rail portion of the project is now estimated at $129.3 million. The 39th Street Bridge is now estimated at $10 million. Overall, the project is now estimated to cost $139.3 million. Increased earthwork, property and material costs are all major factors in the higher estimate. A formal value engineering process was performed in November 2005. A redesigned project was proposed by the Value Engineering Team that appears to reduce costs to $119 million and broke the project into 3 phases, each providing incremental benefits to the rail system. BNSF is performing an operational analysis to confirm the new design. WSDOT is working on proposed adjustments from other projects to cover the anticipated shortfall.
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Design Construction Impacts
Project engineering began in January 2003, but was suspended in June 2003 for lack of funding. Design was restarted in March 2004, after a 9-month delay. 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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