Port of Benton Completes Sixth Rail Crossing Project
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
SR 240 Rail Crossing.
Courtesy of Port of Benton
RICHLAND, Wash. - The Port of Benton completed its sixth rail crossing replacement project at State Route 240.
According to the release, the project started on May 29th and finished 12 hours ahead of schedule on June 1st. The State Route 240 crossing project was made possible by a $865,000 grant from the National Highway Freight Program via the Washington State Department of Transportation. The Port of Benton matched close to $800,000 toward the project. During the project, crews replaced the entire crossing and installed “new concrete panels, pavement, a signal cabinet, cantilevers and new track and ties.”
The Port of Benton has worked to replace other rail crossings at Airport Way, Kingsgate Way, Swift Blvd/Cemetry Drive, State Route 224/Van Giesen, and Saint Street. Throughout these projects, crews have installed around 3,400 new ties and new ballast. In the future, tie replacement projects will return Class 2 track speeds up to 25 mph. On the White Bluffs Southern Connection Rail Line, crews will complete a future final crossing project. For this project, Port of Benton will work with the City of Richland later this year.
“Port of Benton’s rail line is vital for our region’s industries, and the funding support secured by Sen. Boehnke was pivotal for this construction project,” said Diahann Howard, port executive director. “We’re grateful to have the strong support of our state and federal representatives, as our rail line moves 1.3 million tons of freight each year for our farmers, ag producers and other small and big businesses.”
