Rail - Columbia Basin Railroad Wheeler-Warden 286k Upgrades

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending June 2008

Project Title & Location
Columbia Basin Railroad Wheeler-Warden 286k Upgrade

Project Description
Upgrade 1.8 miles of Columbia Basin RR`s light-weight track between Wheeler and Warden. Full request is $531,967

Contractor/Consultant
Columbia Basin Railroad, Warden, WA

Recent Progress
This project upgrades 1.8 miles of Columbia Basin Railroad's light-weight track between Wheeler and Warden.  Previously the BNSF Railway owned the right-of-way and and leased the rights of the line to the Columbia Basin Railroad Co. (CBRW).  The CBRW purchased the right-of-way and operating rights from the BNSF Railway in January 2008.  The completion of the purchase allows CBRW to use the line as security for the state project funding and for the project to move forward.

After the funding agreement was reviewed by WSDOT's AAG, this project has been placed on hold until it is determined if State funds can be used to fund rail projects for private businesses.

Design Construction Impacts
This project upgrades 1.8 miles of light-weight track between Wheeler and Warden.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
None.

Impacts to Traffic
There may be some disruptions to freight rail operations.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Begin Preliminary Engineering Jul 2008   Preliminary engineering will be delayed until the project is approved for funding.
Construction Begins Jan 2009
Operationally Complete Jun 2009
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

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

Preliminary Engineering
Right-of-Way
Construction $0.4 100%
Funded Project Costs $0.4 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

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

Lynnette Gregory, Project Manager at 360-705-7903, E-mail gregorl@wsdot.wa.gov