New study analyzes condition of Washington state’s shortline railroads; repair costs

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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WSDOT

According to a recent study by the Washington Department of Transportation and the Washington State University Freight Policy Transportation Institute, more than half of the state's shortline rail miles aren't up to modern standards.

 

The study, Washington State Short Line Rail Inventory and Needs Assessment, was originally released in June.

Many of the state’s 29 shortline railroads are local and serve farmers in agricultural and timber-growing communities by hauling their products to larger railroads. The study found that more than 55 percent (740) miles of all shortline track miles within the state are not able to efficiently handle the 286,000-pound rail cars used in modern freight transport. That means trains have to go slower on the lines, cause more wear and cost more to operate.

Capacity for heavier rail cars is important because products often move from shortline rails to larger rail systems to reach national and global markets. Bringing the lines up to modern standards could cost more than $600 million, the study determined.

Recently, the Washington Legislature passed and Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new revenue package, which included more than $107 million for statewide freight rail track improvements. The funding includes $47 million for the state-owned shortline rail system and $31 million for the Freight Rail Assistance Program, which supports economic development and rail preservation initiatives.

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