Project Title & Location
Stanwood - New Station

Project Description
The $5.0 million project would establish the station facilities needed for a new Amtrak Cascades stop in Stanwood.

Contractor/Consultant
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas

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.  As reported in March 2007, the costs of the siding extension appear to be $16 million beyond the funded siding upgrades.  However, several factors, including substantial wetland impacts and mitigation, need further analysis to confirm the estimate.

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 that is scheduled to end in July with a rule setting the height of new platforms, but 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.  The duration of this situation is not known.

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.

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.

Impacts to Traffic
Only minor impacts to local roadway traffic is anticipated during construction.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account