Nearly 40 Letters Sent in Support of WSDOT's $15 Million Budget Submission to Governor Inslee and OFM for the Connell Rail Interchange Project
CONNELL, Wash.,Nov. 15, 2022/PRNewswire/ -- TheConnell Rail Interchange Coalitionis indicating that nearly 40 letters have been sent from various Counties, Ports, Cities, EDC's, companies, railroads and other entities to GovernorJay Inslee, the Office of Financial Management and to various legislators in support of theWashington StateDepartment of Transportation (WSDOT) budget submission (for the 2023-25 biennium) for$15 millionfor the Connell Rail Interchange Project.
The$15 millionsubmission includes$10 millionin funding already appropriated by the Legislature in 2015, plus an additional$5 millionin the 2023-25 biennium for an actual total of$14.5 millionthat would be available, reflecting the approximately$500,000in funds that have already been expended for design and engineering since 2015. The$14.5 millionin funding (if approved) would fully complete this important infrastructure project.
The Connell Rail Interchange is a key rail interchange inEastern Washingtonwhere theColumbiaBasin rail line intersects with BNSF Railway's Lakeside Subdivision line, which runs betweenSpokaneandPasco, Wash.TheColumbiaBasin rail line goes through the heart of theColumbiaBasin in easternWashingtonand servesMoses Lake, Wheeler, Schrag,Warden,Othello,Royal City, Bruce, andConnellinGrant,Adams, andFranklinCounties.
Over the past several years, a significant amount of economic development and growth has been occurring in communities on theColumbiaBasin rail line, especially inGrantandAdamsCounties. Consequently, theColumbiaBasin rail line has become one of the busiest rail short lines inWashington State, hauling thousands of loads of various agricultural, industrial commodities and other cargo annually for 60 active rail shippers in theColumbiaBasin, which employ nearly 7,000 people inGrantandAdamsCounties.
The Connell Rail Interchange was built nearly 100 years ago, and the configuration of the interchange is outdated and inefficient. Consequently, the Connell Rail Interchange needs to be upgraded and improved to accommodate current and future growth in rail cargo that is flowing to and throughConnell.
As the track and infrastructure design for the Connell Rail Interchange Project is 100% completed, this important infrastructure project is ready for construction.
As a result, the nearly 40 letters express strong support for WSDOT's budget submission to OFM for$15 millionfor the Connell Rail Interchange Project in the 2023-25 biennium and urge Governor Inslee as well as the Legislature to include this critical funding in their 2023-25 proposed budgets.
For more information and for copies of the letters of support, contactPatrick Bossof theConnell Rail Interchange Coalitionat[email protected]or 509-593-8062.
SOURCE Connell Rail Interchange Coalition
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