February 2012
- WSDOT is currently planning to host a public open house this spring to share the results of our updated studies and schedule for publishing the Environmental Assessment.
- Updated studies of traffic, noise and socio-economic impacts are currently in review by staff from the communities along the proposed bypass route.
- Download the project fact sheet (529 kb)
- Sign up to receive Point Defiance Bypass email updates
Overview
The Point Defiance Bypass Project proposes to reroute passenger trains to an existing rail line along the west side of I-5 through south Tacoma, Lakewood, and DuPont.
WSDOT is doing the Pt. Defiance Bypass project to:
• Grow the Amtrak Cascades service
• Make the service more reliable, and
• Reduce rail congestion on the main line.
The proposed route of this WSDOT project is the same route that Sound Transit will use to extend Sounder commuter rail service to Lakewood. The two agencies are working cooperatively to develop this route for passenger service.
Also, view a PDF of the most recent presentation to the Lakewood City Council. The project team is gaining valuable feedback and ideas as it conducts aggressive outreach to communities along the corridor.
Why is WSDOT
building tracks for passenger trains to bypass the Point Defiance area in Tacoma?
Passenger trains, including Amtrak Cascades, currently must slow down due to curves and single-track tunnels on the BNSF Railway main line tracks near Point Defiance and along southern Puget Sound.
This project proposes to reroute passenger trains to an inland route. The bypass is on an existing rail line that runs along the west side of Interstate 5 (I-5), from south Tacoma through Lakewood and DuPont. It reconnects back to the BNSF Railway main line near Nisqually, on the east side of I-5.
Freight train traffic patterns will not change with most freight trains continuing to use the existing main line near Point Defiance and along southern Puget Sound. The few freight trains that currently use the bypass route will continue to use it during and after the project.
The End Result
The end result is more frequent, more reliable, and faster Amtrak Cascades service.
The improvements will allow passenger trains to use the bypass route without being delayed by freight or Sounder trains. After the completion of other capital rail projects, two additional daily round trip passenger trains could be added. Freight train traffic will not increase on this line beyond the minimal amount that utilizes it today.
When completed, the Point Defiance Rail Bypass project will bring a total of seven daily round trip passenger trains through Tacoma, Lakewood, and DuPont intersections, with an average crossing time of 45 seconds per intersection and a maximum speed of 79 mph.
Project Benefits
- Improved Amtrak Cascades reliability.
- Faster, more frequent Amtrak Cascades service.
What is the project timeline?
The environmental and design process began in July 2006, and was completed in 2008. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE) in August 2008.
Construction of Phase 1 began in June 2009 on the first stage of construction. Funding for this project has been provided by the Legislature for completion by 2019, but the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) High Speed Rail award that Washington State received in January will provide funding to complete construction by the end of 2016.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is requiring a project-level Environmental Assessment (EA) under their regulations before the ARRA funding can be made available for construction of Phase 2. WSDOT anticipates completing the EA in 2012, with FRA issuing a finding in 2013.
WSDOT will continue to keep an open dialogue with the communities affected by the project as it publishes updated studies this spring and summer.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - $91 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $91 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Sign up to receive Point Defiance Bypass email updates
Frank Davidson, P.E.
Project Lead, State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360-705-7122
E-mail: davidsf@consutlant.wsdot.wa.gov
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Melanie Coon, Communications Manager
WSDOT Cascades High Speed Rail Program
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360-705-7905
E-mail: melanie.coon@wsdot.wa.gov
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