The Columbia Basin Railroad Company, which operates between Moses Lake and Connell in central Washington, received $11,552,000 of federal grant money to rehabilitate approximately 10 miles of their railroad line.
The grants come from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.
The proposed project will replace approximately ten miles of rail and approximately 8,000 cross ties on the Columbia Basin Railroad. Below is a photo of the communities that the railroad travels between.
According to a press release from the office of Senator Patty Murray, the project seeks to enhance safety and improve system performance by returning the line to a state of good repair, increasing operating speeds and allowing for increased capacity to move freight.
“When it comes to the rails our trains travel every day—and which connect companies and communities across Washington state with crucial goods, services, and opportunities—it is important we have safe, reliable tracks,” said Senator Murray. “By helping to replace some 8,000 cross ties and 10 miles of rail, this funding will help us make sure the tracks serving the Columbia Basin are in tip-top shape and will safely increase operating speeds and capacity. This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”
The Columbia Basin Railroad Company says the update will benefit over 50 customers served by the railroad. Columbia Basin Railroad will contribute a 20 percent match to the grant.
The Columbia Basin Railroad project is one of nine investments announced by U.S. Senators Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
“The Columbia Basin Railroad serves over 50 businesses and is a lifeline for Washington farmers and exporters across Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman counties. This funding will facilitate critically needed track repairs which will enable increased freight capacity and operating speeds,” Senator Cantwell said.