This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/washarp to TrainWeb.US/washarp.

1997-99 WSDOT Rail Office Budget

WSDOT Rail Budget REVISED: 5/20/97
Courtesy: Stan Suchan, WSDOT Rail Office Media Relations and Jim Slakey, Director WSDOT Public Transportation and Rail Division

The Washington State legislature authorized funds for a variety of rail projects in the state transportation budget during the 97-99 biennium. This included $40,134,000 for intercity passenger rail projects and services. As of May 20, 1997, the transportation budget has been finalized, and signed by the governor.

WSDOT Rail Office will:

Complete the purchase of two new Talgo trains:. These trains (and one nearly identical train purchased by Amtrak) are expected to debut as Amtrak Cascades in the Pacific Northwest corridor in Summer 1998. The three new custom-built Talgo trains will replace existing Superliner and leased Talgo's on the current daily Seattle-Vancouver, BC Mount Baker International (#760/761); Seattle-Portland Mount Adams (#752/753); and Eugene-Seattle Cascadia (#750/751) services.

Continue current state-sponsored Amtrak service:. Washington State will continue to sponsor daily Amtrak Seattle-Vancouver, BC Mount Baker International (#760/761) and Seattle-Portland Mount Adams (#752/753) service.

Pursue additional daily Seattle-Portland Amtrak service: Washington State is authorized to pursue an additional daily Seattle-Portland round-trip during the next two years. This new service would use track capacity that is available due to the departure of Amtrak's Pioneer service. The service is only feasible if existing leased Talgo trains can be used more efficiently by making three one-way trips per day on the corridor instead of the current two one-way trips per day. This can be accomplished if travel times between Seattle-Portland are dramatically reduced if: 1.) BNSF is successful in petitioning the WUTC for speed increases throughout the corridor and 2.) WSDOT and Talgo successfully petition the FRA and BNSF to more efficiently use Talgo tilt technology in curves. These efforts are underway.

Complete a twenty year plan for the Vancouver, BC-Portland portion of the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor: This plan, already underway with public and policymaker involvement, will broadly outline service levels, infrastructure improvements, finances and operations during the next twenty years.

Complete a project level environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Vancouver, BC-Portland portion of the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor: This EIS, already underway with public and policymaker involvement, will clearly define infrastructure improvements and service levels for the next five years. When complete, WSDOT will be able to request construction permits for listed projects and begin construction to allow faster, safer and more frequent rail service in the Pacific Northwest.

Complete King Street Station design: The state allocated $2.5 million for King Street Station design. These funds, added to the already allocated $1.6 million, will allow the state and other partners to complete design work for the first phase of station rehabilitation and compete for addition funds for construction. The first phase of King Street Station rehabilitation will include stabilization to better protect the building from seismic activity, an upgrade of basic building systems like plumbing and electrical, and restoration of the historic passenger service areas.

Construct rail infrastructure improvements: The state will invest $2 million in track upgrades to help improve service reliability, frequency, safety and reduce travel times.

Fund staff salaries, expert consulting, administrative expenses, and marketing: WSDOT will continue to operate a Rail Office and hire consultants to help negotiate and review contracts; develop, study and review technical rail data and documents; cooperatively market Amtrak's Pacific Northwest/Cascades service; design and manage construction of rail projects; conduct public involvement; and other necessary services to meet the objectives outlined in the state budget.

Rehabilitate light density rail lines: WSDOT will spend over $1 million from the Essential Rail Assistance Account to preserve essential freight rail service.

Study the Milwaukee Corridor: WSDOT will continue to study options for Eastern Washington's Milwaukee Rail Corridor, including possible freight rail service and recreational trail development. This funding was proposed at $763,000, and reduced to $150,000.

Study rail/road conflicts: The state will continue freight mobility improvement efforts with a $1/2 million study of rail and road conflicts in Eastern Washington.

Return to Government Actions || Table of Contents || Send E-Mail

Last Update: 01/04/00
Web Author: Warren Y. Yee