State secures $112 million for railroad

FOUR LAKES – The railway system serving Eastern Washington's wheat industry in Lincoln, Adams, Whitman, Grant and southern Spokane Counties will be getting a facelift, thanks to $112 million in grants.

The state Department of Transportation has been awarded a $72.8 million grant for the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad Project.

The grant, a product of the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement program, is dedicated to enhancing passenger and freight rail safety, efficiency and reliability.

Bolstering this federal grant is a $39.2 million in state funding sourced from the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, complemented by contributions from local and private entities.

Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell emphasized the project's overarching goal during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 29, at the Highline Grain rail facility on Craig Road.

Dozens of county, state and federal officials and agriculture representatives attended the ceremony, which include tours of the Highline Grain facility and photos with the "Grain Train."

Lincoln County was represented by Commissioner Rob Coffman.

Gov. Jay Inslee was scheduled to participate, but canceled after announcing he had tested positive for COVID.

State Rail, Freigth and Ports Division Acting Director Jason Biggs served as emcee for the event, calling the investment "transformational."

When Mitchell took the podium, she said rail beds, rails and trestles are aging, and some have been affected by wildfires and are in need of repairs and upgrades.

"We are trying to make the railroad more resilient to a changing climate and potential wildfires," Mitchell said.

According to Mitchell, the funds will be used to improve rail infrastructure so it can accommodate "heavier, more modern rail cars at increased speeds."

"Railroads are critically important to the nation," she said. "We have more than a half a century of under investiment in our rail network."

The rail system has been damaged due to wildfires and other natural events, a concern echoed by Mike Gribner, assistant transportation secretary.

Gribner highlighted a key preventative measure, commenting on the Rebel Flat Creek trestle destroyed Aug. 18 in the Winona Fire. The wooden spanned at the town of Winona burned, cutting off wheat transportation between Whitman and Adams Counties.

"The bridge we're putting back is steel and concrete," he said. "So, next time a wildfire rolls in, it won't be destroyed."

He also noted that the funds will be used to improve curves, allowing trains to cross the region faster, and more safely.

Funding will also be used to upgrade rail crossings, he said.

The improvements will allow for more goods to be transported via rail, he said, noting trains are 3-4 times more efficient than truck transportation.

"The number of trucks on the roadway will be reduced," he said.

The Palouse River and Coulee City rail system serves as a vital lifeline for communities in Lincoln, Adams, Grant, Spokane, and Whitman Counties, officials said. It facilitates the transportation of goods and passengers, contributing significantly to the region's economy.

However, years of deferred maintenance have taken their toll on rail infrastructure.

Gribner said the system has fallen into "disrepair" and the funds will provide for the rehabilitation needed.

"We've replaced several wooden bridges and miles of track, but there's still a lot to do," he said.

The funding secured for the PCC Project will be directed towards several critical objectives.

Safety improvements will be a top priority, with enhancements aimed at preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew, officials said. Moreover, the project will focus on upgrading the efficiency and reliability of freight services, reducing transportation bottlenecks and enhancing overall accessibility.

Alex McGregor, chairman of The McGregor Co. of Colfax, emphasized the project's broader economic impact beyond his home in Whitman County.

"We rely on rail, barges and trucks for lesser distances; 90% of the wheat we grow goes to hungry people around the world," he said.

This project not only enhances regional connectivity but also plays a pivotal role in global trade, facilitating the movement of agricultural products to international markets, McGregor said.

"It's really important to have smooth links to the nation and the world," he said. "We rely on rail to a big degree."

Whitman County Commissioner Art Swannack, too, said the project has far-reaching implications, as did Coffman.

"We've been pretty actively cheerleading for money to be put into this rail system for a long time," Coffman said.