Rail - Columbia Basin Railroad Wheeler-Warden 286k Upgrades

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 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.  The BNSF Railway Co. owned the right-of-way and operating rights of the line operated by the Columbia Basin Railroad Company (CBRR).  The CBRR purchased of the right-of-way and operating rights from the BNSF Railway Co. in January 2008.  The closing was initially delayed until September 2006, and has been further delayed.  The completion of the purchase allows the CBRR to use the line as security for the state project funding and for the project to move forward.

In January 2008 WSDOT and CBRR met to discuss the funding agreement and charter.  The funding agreement is being reviewed by WSDOT's AAG.  Once that is finalized, a charter will be developed.  The Ad date is January 2009, with a completed date in June 2009.

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  
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

$0

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