Freight rail - State-funded projects

2023

Freight Rail Assistance Program funds 15 projects underway in 2023

Fifteen projects funded through the Freight Rail Assistance Program were underway as of December 31, 2023. Eight of these were new projects awarded for the 2023-2025 biennium for a total of $7.6 million.

This grant program is open to cities, county rail districts, counties, economic development councils, port districts, and privately or publicly owned railroads. The funded projects include rail and tie replacements, spur restoration, joint elimination, rail yard buildouts, strengthening and resilience of tracks, industrial corridor expansion, rail crossings and line refurbishment. Of the 15 projects underway, six were in the closeout phase as of December 31, 2023.

Freight Rail Investment Bank loan program assists eight projects in 2023

Eight projects financed using state Freight Rail Investment Bank loans were underway in 2023. Six of the loans active in 2023 were for Tacoma Rail projects; with one each for the Port of Benton and Port of Everett. Two of these projects are currently in construction and four are advancing to the closeout stage.

The Legislature funds the FRIB loan program to help deliver projects that improve the state's long-term economic vitality by improving freight movement.

2022

Freight Rail Assistance Program funds 12 projects underway in 2022

A total of 12 projects funded through the Freight Rail Assistance Program were underway as of December 31, 2022. Eight of these were new projects awarded for the 2021-2023 biennium for a total of $6.6 million.

These projects include rail and tie replacements, rail safety improvements, bridge replacements, new sidings (short segments of track that allow a train to pull off the main line so another train can pass), crossing improvements, tunnel repairs, noise abatement and preservation. Of these 12 FRAP projects, four were in closeout as of December 31, 2022.

Freight Rail Investment Bank loan program assists six projects in 2022

Six projects financed using state Freight Rail Investment Bank loans were underway in 2022. Four of the loans active in 2021 were for Tacoma Rail projects; with one each to the Port of Everett and the Port of Benton. Four of these projects are currently in construction, with the remaining two in the design stage.

The Legislature funds the FRIB loan program to help deliver projects that improve the state's long-term economic vitality by improving freight movement. Past loan repayments have all been made on time, with 40 loans currently being repaid under 10-year or 15-year terms.

State funds 12 additional freight rail projects underway in 2022

Twelve freight rail capital projects received state funding through specifically designated line items in the Transportation Budget. These are administered by WSDOT and include work on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Spokane Airport Transload Facility, as well as bridge replacements, grade separations, and track improvements across the state.

Connecting Washington funds 12 freight rail projects underway in 2022

A total of 12 projects funded through the Freight Rail Assistance Program were underway as of December 31, 2022. Eight of these were new projects awarded for the 2021-2023 biennium for a total of $6.6 million.

These projects include rail and tie replacements, rail safety improvements, bridge replacements, new sidings (short segments of track that allow a train to pull off the main line so another train can pass), crossing improvements, tunnel repairs, noise abatement and preservation. Of these 12 FRAP projects, four were in closeout as of December 31, 2022.

2021

Freight Rail Assistance Program funds 17 projects underway in 2021

A total of 17 projects funded through the Freight Rail Assistance Program were underway as of December 31, 2021. Eight of these were new projects awarded for the 2021-2023 biennium for a total of $6.6 million. This made up approximately 64% of the projects' total budgets of $11.7 million.

These projects include rail and tie replacements, rail safety improvements, bridge replacements, new sidings (short segments of track that allow a train to pull off the main line so another train can pass), crossing improvements, tunnel repairs, noise abatement and preservation. Of these 17 FRAP projects, six were in closeout as of December 31, 2021.

Freight Rail Investment Bank loan program assists four projects in 2021

Four projects financed using state Freight Rail Investment Bank loans were underway in 2021. All four of the loans active in 2021 were for Tacoma Rail projects. WSDOT awarded one of these loans during the 2019-2021 biennium and the project is currently in closeout. The other three loans, totaling $1.6 million, were awarded for the 2021-2023 biennium. This made up approximately 34% of the projects' total budgets of $4.8 million.

The Legislature funds the FRIB loan program to help deliver projects that improve the state's long-term economic vitality by improving freight movement. Past loan repayments have all been made on time, with 40 loans currently being repaid under 10-year or 15-year terms.

State funds 10 additional freight rail projects underway in 2021

Ten freight rail capital projects received state funding through specifically designated line items in the Transportation Budget in 2021. These are administered by WSDOT and include work on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Spokane Airport Transload Facility, as well as bridge replacements, grade separations, and track improvements across the state.

Connecting Washington funds 10 freight rail projects underway in 2021

As of December 31, 2021, 10 freight rail improvement projects funded through the Connecting Washington transportation package were underway. These CW projects were approved by the legislature as part of the 2017- 2019 or 2019-2021 transportation budgets. They include rail interchange improvements, rail infrastructure work at several ports, landslide mitigation along railroad tracks and rehabilitation of existing rail lines.

Three of the 2017-2019 biennium CW projects were in closeout phase, one was in design. The remaining six projects were funded in the 2019-2021 biennium, with two in design, three in construction, and one in closeout as of December 31, 2021.

2020

Freight Rail Assistance Program funds 11 projects underway in 2020

Approximately $9.4 million in Freight Rail Assistance Program funds supported 11 state freight rail grant projects that were underway in 2020. These projects include rail and tie replacements, rail safety improvements, bridge replacements, new sidings (short segments of track that allow a train to pull off the main line so another train can pass), crossing improvements, tunnel repairs, noise abatement and preservation.

Of the 11 FRAP projects, three were either operationally complete (constructed enough to be used for their intended purpose) or in closeout as of December 31, 2020.

Freight Rail Investment Bank loan program assists four projects in 2020

A total of four projects financed using state Freight Rail Investment Bank loans were underway in 2020. WSDOT awarded four FRIB loans totaling over $7 million for the 2019-2021 biennium. These include financing for two Tacoma Rail projects, one for the Port of Benton in Benton County and one for the Port of Everett in Snohomish County.

The Legislature funds the FRIB loan program to help deliver projects that improve the state's long-term economic vitality by improving freight movement. Past loan repayments have all been made on time, with 37 loans currently being repaid under 10-year or 15-year terms.

Connecting Washington funds 15 freight rail projects underway in 2020

As of December 31, 2020, 15 freight rail improvement projects funded through the Connecting Washington transportation package were underway. These CW projects were all approved by the Legislature as part of the 2017-2019 or 2019-2021 transportation budgets. They include rail interchange improvements, rail infrastructure work at several ports, landslide mitigation along railroad tracks and rehabilitation of existing rail lines.

Two of the 2017-2019 biennium Connecting Washington projects were in closeout phase, one was in construction and two others were in design. The remaining 10 projects were funded in the 2019-2021 biennium and were in the design or construction phases as of December 31, 2020.

2019

Freight Rail Assistance Program funds 36 projects underway in 2019

Approximately $24.9 million in Freight Rail Assistance Program funds supported 36 state freight rail grant projects that were underway in 2019. These projects include rail and tie replacements, rail safety improvements, bridge replacements, new sidings (short segments of track that allow a train to pull off the main line so another train can pass), crossing improvements, tunnel repairs, noise abatement and preservation.

Of the 36 FRAP projects, 16 were either operationally complete (constructed enough to be used for their intended purpose) or in close out as of December 31, 2019.

Federal Grant providing funds for new freight rail overpass

In December 2019, WSDOT awarded the construction contract for a $900,000 federally-funded project for a new freight rail overpass in Ridgefield, which will provide waterfront access for motorists and pedestrians.

Freight Rail Investment Bank loan program assists five projects underway in 2019

A total of five projects financed using state Freight Rail Investment Bank loans were underway in 2019. WSDOT awarded four FRIB loans totaling over $7 million for the 2019-2021 biennium. These include financing for two Tacoma Rail projects, one for the Port of Benton and one for the Port of Everett.

In addition, the Port of Everett had received a separate $5 million FRIB loan in 2018 for a rail modernization project that was under construction as of December 31, 2019.

The Legislature funds the FRIB loan program to help deliver projects that improve the state's long-term economic vitality by improving freight movement.

Connecting Washington funds 11 freight rail projects underway in 2019

As of December 31, 2019, 11 freight rail improvement projects funded through the Connecting Washington transportation package were underway. These CW projects, which totaled $37.8 million, were all approved by the Legislature as part of the 2015-2017 or 2017-2019 transportation budgets. They include rail interchange improvements, rail infrastructure work at several ports, landslide mitigation along railroad tracks and rehabilitation of existing rail lines.

Two of the 2015-2017 biennium CW projects were in closeout phase, and the two others funded in that biennium were in final construction. The remaining seven projects were funded in the 2017-2019 biennium and were in the agreements, design or construction phases as of December 31, 2019.