Freight & railway business programs
The economic vitality of Washington state requires a strong rail system capable of providing its businesses, ports and farms with competitive access to national and international markets.
Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System
The Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System is the longest short-line freight rail system in Washington state, serving five eastern Washington counties: Adams, Grant, Lincoln, Spokane and Whitman. Private railroads contract with WSDOT to operate each of the branches. The PCC Railroad operates the PV Hooper Branch, the Washington Eastern Railroad operates the CW Branch, and the Spokane, Spangle and Palouse Railway operates the P & L Branch.
WSDOT purchased the rights of way and rail for the P & L and PV Hooper branches of the PCC in November 2004. Purchase of the CW Branch and the remaining rights for the other two branches were completed in May 2007. Maintaining these rail lines helps farmers get goods to larger rail lines and on to regional and international markets.
Current capital improvement projects
In September 2023, WSDOT was awarded $72.8 million in federal CRISI funds, which are being matched by $39.2 million in state, local and private funds. This provides a total project budget of $112 million for capital improvements. The improvements include replacement of light weight worn rail; replacement of rotten railroad ties; rebuilding dilapidated roadway crossings; and surfacing of tracks. This grant work builds upon the prior BUILD grant-funded improvements completed in 2021. When coupled with other state capital contracts, the CRISI-funded projects will substantially rehabilitate the PCC Railway System, bringing a significant portion of it to a state of good repair.
More details are available in the 2023 PCC Overview and the 2015-2025 PCC Strategic Plan.
- 2023 PCC Overview (PDF 316KB)
- PCC Rail System Strategic Plan Executive Summary (PDF 3.94MB)
- PCC Rail System Strategic Plan (PDF 3MB)
Lease information
WSDOT oversees the facilities and regulatory portions of the operating leases. The PCC Rail Authority - an intergovernmental entity formed by Grant, Lincoln, Spokane and Whitman counties - oversees the business and economic development portions of the operating leases.
For questions about doing business with the PCC rail system, please contact:
- PCC Rail Authority Chairman Rob Coffman, 509-725-3031
- WSDOT PCC Railway Manager Larry Rasmussen, 509-324-6086
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