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Project Title & Location
Stanwood - New Station
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Project Description
The $5.0 million project would establish the station facilities needed for a new Amtrak Cascades stop in Stanwood.
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Contractor/Consultant
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas
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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 notified WSDOT that an extension to the siding track at Stanwood must be funded before station construction can begin. The 2008 Washington State Legislature provided $12.94 million for the siding track extension, which will be added to the $3.0 million available for the Stanwood - Siding Upgrade project.
The other issue that has prevented WSDOT from building the station is the proposed federal requirement for train station platform heights. The proposed federal standard is opposed by the BNSF Railway, and the railroad would not allow WSDOT and Amtrak to construct the station until the issue was resolved. In early 2008 the federal government indicated that it would no longer enforce the proposed platform height standards as law. WSDOT is now seeking formal approval from BNSF to proceed with station construction before the siding extension is completed.
WSDOT will begin station construction upon receiving formal approval from BNSF and once new tracks and ties are installed in front of the station site. 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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