Public shares opinions on railroad project

New line could be built in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Dozens of Columbia Basin residents attended an open house Thursday to learn about a proposed project to build new rail lines and improve existing track.

The proposed Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project includes building a new line from Wheeler Road to Parker Horn, improving existing track between Parker Horn and the Grant County International Airport and extending the existing Columbia Basin Railroad's track to the industrial areas south and east of the airport.

The state Department of Transportation and federal Surface Transportation Board hoped to receive feedback on the proposal.

Attorney and Project Manager for the Surface Transportation Office Christa Dean said the Surface Transportation Board gives final approval on the project. Board members hoped for suggestions related to mitigation measures, environmental impact and alignment.

Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Rail and project manager Andrew Wood said he received positive and negative feedback from the public.

"We're hearing from both sides — the enthusiast and the non-enthusiast," Wood said.

Moses Lake resident Al Willis said he supports the project because he believes growth could shrink without it.

"I think it's high time," Willis said. "I can't understand why the city of Moses Lake isn't behind it more, isn't a little more visible here."

Moses Lake resident Ross Sterling said he attended the open house out of an interest in railroads.

"I wish they'd do it a little faster because it's a plus for Grant County," Sterling said.

Railroads are more efficient than trucks because they can hold more tonnage, they do not clog highways and they are more fuel efficient, he said.

Steve Shinn, a Moses Lake resident and former Moses Lake council member, said he preferred a different alignment. The alignment proposed originally is different than the current proposal, Shinn said. In the original proposal, the rail line was located north of Wheeler Road. Now, it is south of Wheeler road.

"I don't like crossing Wheeler Road with a major line," he said.

Shinn supported the rail's connection to the Port of Moses Lake, which he said would help it become economically vibrant.

"The port needs to have rail service," he said.

Port of Moses Lake Industrial Development Manager Albert Anderson said while some of the industrial area is served well with rail, better rail service is needed by Grant County International Airport.

From Wheeler Road to the airport, the distance is about five miles, Anderson said.

"Presently, it takes 12 miles of rail line to get out here," he said.

The 12 miles of track require maintenance. Safety is another issue, he said. Nineteen crossings were counted from Wheeler Road to Basic American Foods.

A new track would be updated to current weight and size, he said.

Moses Lake Reps. Judy Warnick and Bill Hinkle both attended the open house.

Warnick had not seen the proposed alignment but she said the railroad needs to be moved out of the downtown area.

"We need better rail service, no matter where they put it," she said.

Hinkle said the project needs to be done. It would represent a major step in making Moses Lake a transportation hub, he said.

"We're not utilizing this port the way we should as a state," he said.

Several people mentioned they were pleased with the large turnout of the open house. In the first half hour of the three-hour event, approximately 65 people showed up.

"It's great to know people are so interested in a project," Wood said.

The Department of Transportation and the Surface Transportation Board need to be convinced the environmental impact of the project is minimal to give permission for the project, Wood noted.

The public can submit comments on the project to by e-mailing transportation department Rail Environmental Manager Elizabeth Phinney at phinnee@wsdot.wa.gov. They can mail comments to the Washington State Department of Transportation Freight Systems Division at P.O. Box 47407, Olympia, WA 98504. Comments must be submitted by Thursday.

For more information on the project, visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Rail/NorthernColumbiaBasinRR/.