Rail - Geiger Spur/Airway Heights - New Rail Connection

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending September 2007

Project Title & Location
Geiger Spur/Airway Heights - New Rail Connection, Spokane County

Project Description
Relocate exiting part of existing rail line to provide conection with PCC near Medical Lake.

Contractor/Consultant
Western Rail Services operates the rail which is owned by Spokane County.

Recent Progress
The project will build a new rail connection to Spokane County's Airway Heights industrial park to replace the connection that currently passes through Fairchild Air Force Base.

The legislature has provided an additional $2 million ($1.8 million in 2003 Transportation Funding Package funds and $200,000 in federal highway funds for grade crossings).  This filled the funding shortfall previously reported.

There was initially concern from the County about signing a contract that contained a section retaining the States contingent interest in the line.  The State and the County signed a contract for the construction in August 2007.  Currenly a delay to the start on construction may occur as the County has not been able to purchase all the ROW needed to complete the project.

Design Construction Impacts
Construction impacts have not been determined.  It is anticipated that construction on the new alignment may cause some noise and dust.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Spokane County is responsible for identifying environmental impacts.

Impacts to Traffic
Only brief delays to rail traffic will be required during construction.  Construction of new highway/rail grade crossings may cause brief delay to motorists.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Begin Engineering Jun 2005 Mar 2007 Completed in March 2007. 
ROW Purchased Apr 2007 Anticipated for October 2008.
Construction Begins Sep 2007 Anticipated for April 2009
Construction Complete Aug 2008 Anticipated for October 2009.
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $0.7 10%
Right-of-Way $1.0 14%
Construction $5.3 76%
Funded Project Costs $7.0 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

$5.3 76%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

$1.5 21%

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Kirk Fredrickson, Project Manager at 360-705-7939 E-mail fredrik@wsdot.wa.gov