THERE IS SOME ACTION! READ THIS -- THEN CALL THE WDOT AND PUT THE PRESSURE ON THEM!@


Old Milwaukee rail could be back on track

By LuAnn Morgan, The Othello Outlook (Othello, WA)
Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Port of Royal Slope is attempting to lease the old Milwaukee rail line from the state Department of Transportation.

The goal is to reopen the route from Othello to Royal City, which was abandoned in the 1980s.

However, DOT has yet to respond to the request.

"We've thought we should just start to use it until they kick us off," said Port commissioner Dave Miller. "That would get their attention."

The Port held a special meeting on Thursday, March 5, to discuss what the next step should be. They have been working on plans since 2004 when Clark County asked to take the rails.

The commissioners were able to procure an extension at that time.

They have now applied for a portion of the economic stimulus package in hopes of gathering enough funding to begin the project. At this point, they are soliciting businesses that would show a definite interest in using the line, as well as letters of support.

"One board member of the Big Bend Economic Development Council suggested we inundate them with letters," commissioner Alan Schrom said. "He told us it would help our request carry more weight."

Since beginning the plans, the Port has built up their business park west of the city. Cathy Porter, executive director for the Port of Royal Slope, said four acres on the tracks were purchased at the park.

"We've had interest and our business park is ready," Porter said. "We lack rail."

In 2006, the Port met at Royal's city hall with legislative representatives, the Columbia Basin Railroad and DOT. They were told to put together a transportation portfolio showing exactly how and why they are trying to reopen the line.

They did that, yet they haven't received any additional interest from the state.

"It's discouraging," Porter said. "We pay taxes, too, so why aren't we getting the help here?"

Several companies in Royal City have expressed interest and have indicated they would, indeed, use the railroad.

Jake Wardenaar, of Blue Sky Management, an onion packing facility, said most of their product is now being shipped out of Hermiston, Ore.

"This would be a simpler, direct market," he said.

He also said they have lost cars shipping out of other areas.

"If you lose a car, there's no recourse," Wardenaar said. "The last claim we settled took three years."

Eventually, the commissioners hope to open the line all the way to Ellensburg.

Their focus now is on the spur from Othello to Royal City, which is approximately 26 miles long. They estimate the cost to be $1.5 million.

Prior to the meeting, Eric Morgan, of Othello, was asked to walk part of the track and give his opinion of its condition.

Morgan grew up in Smyrna, where his father retired as the section foreman there. Most of his family worked for the railroad, as he also did for a time.

He said he would recommend they construct a 20-car siding at the business park in order to have a place to park the cars.

Unfortunately, that project could deplete most of the funding the Port is seeking. A 20-car siding recently constructed in Michigan cost $1.2 million.

"And with irrigation up there, you'll need a 38- or 40-foot pipe for water runoff," Morgan said. "That way, whatever comes down will wash through."

As far as the old ties are concerned, Morgan estimated 98 percent would need replaced.

On March 25, the commissioners will attend a meeting in the governor's mansion for the state's port districts. They plan to bring some of their ideas to the table then.

And they hope to show up with letters of support from area businesses.

Anyone who would like to submit a letter can mail it to Port of Royal Slope, PO Box 147, Royal City, WA 99357 or e-mail it to portofroyal@centurytel.net.

"Businesses want to come into our area," Porter said. "We have the lots, water and infrastructure, but we don't have the rail they want."