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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.
Construction of the first phase of the rail improvements began in November 2007 and are continuing. Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisition by both WSDOT and BNSF is also underway.
The design of the West 39th Street Bridge is 100 percent complete and the cost estimate is slightly higher than previously reported, but within current contingencies. As previously reported, the advertising date for construction, scheduled for March 2008, will likely be delayed until at least September 2008 due to difficulties in acquiring and certifying the ROW. If the bridge ad date is delayed, the bridge's completion will be delayed a similar duration. WSDOT and BNSF are reviewing this delay to the bridge construction for its effect on the over project schedule.
Also, BNSF has analyzed the costs for the first phase of construction and has adjusted the overall cost estimate for the remaining rail work. As a result, the overall project is now estimated to be $27.1 million above the current authorized budget. In June 2007 the cost estimate for the overall project was reported to be $11.8 million above the available budget. It is likely that, based on the latest preliminary information from BNSF, this budget deficit will increase.
WSDOT did not seek additional funds for the project during the 2008 legislative session.
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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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