Project Title & Location
Swift Customs Facility Capacity Improvements, Blaine, WA

Project Description
Constructs additional rail line capacity to accommodate customs and security needs, while reducing congestion and delays for freight and passenger trains on the main line.

Contractor/Consultant
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas

Recent Progress
This project, funded in the 2005 package at $3.0 million, will increase rail line capacity at the Swift Customs Facility and will improve Amtrak Cascades schedule reliability.  State funds will supplement a $3.0 million federal earmark.  The legislature assumes an additional $3.0 million in private/local/other funds that have not been secured.  The project is spread over the next two biennia (05-07 and 07-09). 

As previously reported, delays due to scoping issues will result in the construction being delayed at least until April 2007.  This will likely require that the federal funds from the 2005-2007 biennium be re-appropriated into the 2007-2009 biennium.  However, this will not delay the completion of construction, scheduled for June 2009.

In August 2006, WSDOT requested to delay the $1 million in 2005 Transportation Partnership funds for this project in the 2005-2007 biennium to the 2007-2009 biennium and advance $1 million in federal funds in the 2007-2009 biennium to the 2005-2007 biennium. This action was approved by the Office of Financial Management in September 2006.

Design Construction Impacts
The city of Blaine has expressed concern about the location of US Homeland Security’s rail car inspection machine and the blockage of traffic at SR 548.  This machine is located at the northern end of the project area.  The new inspection tracks will not alleviate this problem.  Only relocation of the machine will change this situation. Neither BNSF nor US Homeland Security intends to move the machine at this time.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
New inspection tracks on the south side of the project area may require the filling of some wetlands.  This will require permits necessary to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

Impacts to Traffic
The project may impact freight and passenger operations when construction commences.  Amtrak Cascades passengers will be moved by motor coach during some work windows.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account