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Recent Progress
This project will design and construct a new passenger platform and other facilities at Stanwood to be served by Amtrak Cascades trains.
It was previously reported that BNSF Railway has notified WSDOT that an extension to the siding at Stanwood will be required before Amtrak Cascades trains can stop at the new station facility. The siding extension is beyond the scope of a separate project, Stanwood - Siding Upgrade, currently in design. BNSF Railway has prepared a cost estimate for the siding extension. This cost is $12.0 million.
In addition, Amtrak has notified WSDOT that they will not be able to stop at the new station without approval of the platform height by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA is currently in a “rule-making” process setting the height of new platforms. This process was supposed to have been finished in July 2007, but has been delayed. It appears that the direction from the FRA may not meet with freight rail industry approval. It is very possible that the freight railroads will take legal action against the FRA if the new rules do not meet their approval.
The design of the platform cannot be finalized until the results of the FRA rule-making, and any legal action stemming from it, is known. Construction will not begin on the new station until the platform height issue is resolved and funding for the siding extension is made available. In the meantime, designs for utility relocation are underway, with relocation work expected to be completed in spring 2008.
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Design Construction Impacts
The station will be located between 271st Street and a power substation in downtown Stanwood. It is unlikely that construction will have an adverse impact on the community, as the site is a vacant lot. However, construction of a platform could have a temporary impact on rail operations in the area.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
WSDOT has prepared a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist for this project. A Cultural Resources Report and Biological Assessment have also been prepared. Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.
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Impacts to Traffic
Only minor impacts to local roadway traffic is anticipated during construction.
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