Project Title & Location
Vancouver Rail Project Incl. 39th Bridge – Vancouver, WA

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.

Contractor/Consultant
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas

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 main line, improving on-time performance of the Amtrak Cascades trains, and is a step toward the addition of a fifth Seattle-Portland round trip.

In July 2006, WSDOT requested to advance $4.935 million in 2003 Transportation Package funds and another $2 million in dedicated federal funds for this $109,950,000 project from the 2007-2009 biennium.  This would allow completion of Pre-construction Engineering and continue Right-of-Way purchases in the current biennium.  This action was approved by the Office of Financial Management in September 2006.

The design of the W 39th Street Bridge has been completed to 30 percent and revised estimate and schedule have been produced by WSDOT and its consultant.  The bridge construction is now scheduled to go to advertisement in March 2008, about six months later than the November 2007 date previously set.  This is due to the longer than anticipated time required for purchasing property for the project.  In addition to the delay of starting the bridge construction, the most recent estimates indicated the costs for the required property, and constructing the bridge and related work, will be $7 million more than the $13 million indicated in the previous estimate.  This is due primarily to the inflation in property, and the need for a wider embankment and structure to accommodate a second sidewalk, as well as higher than anticipated costs for storm water treatment and other utility relocations.

BNSF Railway has completed their operations modeling work for the rail portion of the project, and should restart engineering in October 2006.  It remains possible to begin construction in late 2007 of some portions of the track and signal work, and relocation of some rail facilities in advance of the W 39th Bridge construction.

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.

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.

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.

Some phases of the project will be operationally complete prior to June 2011

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account