January 2012
At the request of the PCC Rail Authority, WSDOT is administering $8.6 million granted to the Authority to help rehabilitate the PCC Rail System infrastructure which has suffered from many years of deferred maintenance. The work being done will help ensure that the railroads can operate without substantial interruption of service until 2014.
Projects developed with the assistance of the operating railroads, a consultant and the PCC Rail Authority were awarded in June and July 2009 and are now complete.
Recent completed work includes:
- A drainage rehabilitation project was awarded in August 2010 and was completed in June 2011.
- A bridge rehabilitation project was awarded in September 2010 and construction was completed in the Spring of 2011.
- A fence project on the CW Branch right-of-way was awarded in May 2011. Construction was completed in July 2011.
Overview
Washington State owns the former PCC Rail System, which consists of three branches. WSDOT purchased the rights of way and rail in the P & L Branch and PV Hooper Branch of the PCC in November 2004. Purchase of the CW Branch and the remaining rights in the other two branches was completed in May 2007.
WSDOT contracted with private railroads to operate each of the branches. The Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad operates the PV Hooper Branch; the Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad operates the CW Branch; and the Washington and Idaho Railway operates the P & L Branch.
WSDOT oversees the facilities and regulatory portions of the operating leases. The PCC Rail Authority-an intergovernmental entity formed by Grant, Lincoln, Spokane and Whitman counties-oversees the business and economic development portions of the operating leases. Joe Poire, Executive Director of the Port of Whitman,chairs the PCC Rail Authority.
At the request of the PCC Rail Authority, WSDOT is administering $8.6 million granted to the Authority to help rehabilitate the PCC Rail System infrastructure. The rail system has suffered from many years of deferred maintenance. The work being done will help ensure that the railroads can operate without substantial interruption of service until 2014 without significant additional rehabilitation.
More information is available in the PCC Rail System folio (pdf 2 mb) and PCC Rehabilitation Plan folio (pdf 268 kb).
Why is WSDOT
purchasing and rehabilitating the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) System?
Public ownership of the PCC capital assets provides an opportunity for private operators to provide economically viable rail service to shippers along the lines.
Rehabilitation is needed to correct the effects of decades of deferred maintenance. Many places along the lines must be operated at a speed lower than would be allowed if the lines had been properly maintained on an ongoing basis. Rehabilitation will prevent further deterioration, help raise operating speeds in some locations, and make the operation of the lines more efficient and commercially viable.
What is the current status of these rail lines?
WSDOT has identified areas along each Branch where rehabilitation is urgently needed, and has contracted to have many of these problem areas corrected. WSDOT is also developing a plan for further rehabilitation projects to be constructed in the future.
The End Result
WSDOT acquired the PCC Rail System assets to provide an opportunity to create a viable railroad system able to serve Washington shippers for years to come.
Project Benefits
- Lower shipping costs
- Preserve jobs at rail-dependent industries
- Minimize the added wear and tear on state roadways caused each year by thousands of heavy truckloads
What is the project timeline?
The acquisition was completed, and new operators were selected and began operation in June 2007.
A new rehabilitation plan for emergency repairs was developed during the summer and fall of 2007. Project work began in the summer of 2008. Some rehabilitation work was completed in 2010. More rehabilitation work was completed in 2011.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2003 Legislative Transportation Package (New & Used Vehicle Sales Tax) - $20.7 million
- 2005 Legislative Transportation Package - $7 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $27.7 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Dan Lewis, PE
Project Engineer
State Rail and Marine Office
1551 North Wenatchee Ave.
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: 509-667-2894
E-mail: dan.lewis@wsdot.wa.gov
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