(The following appeared on the Washington State Department of Transportation website on September 3, 2010.)
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and BNSF Railway today signed an agreement that ultimately will result in more frequent and more reliable Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland.
Today’s “Memorandum of Agreement” between WSDOT and BNSF clears the way for the state to begin initial work this fall using some of the $590 million in federal grants awarded to Washington in January. This money is part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) high-speed rail grants, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The agreement sets the framework for the two organizations to deliver rail-improvement projects that achieve reliability and on-time performance goals for both passenger and freight rail service. This is important on rail lines shared by these two types of rail services.
With these ARRA funds, the goal is to add two additional Amtrak Cascades daily roundtrips between Seattle and Portland, for a total of six. The improvements are also intended to reduce travel times, as well as improve average on-time performance from the line’s current 62 percent to more than 80 percent. The work will increase rail-corridor capacity and relieve main-line rail congestion by building bypass tracks and making multiple upgrades to existing track.
“I commend the state of Washington and the BNSF Railway for finalizing a Memorandum of Agreement that will pave the way for improved freight and passenger rail service along the vitally important Cascade Corridor between Seattle and Portland,” said Ray LaHood, U.S. secretary of transportation. “This balanced agreement recognizes BNSF’s reputation for providing on-time passenger service, while ensuring strong performance outcomes for both freight and passenger operations. This major step forward could not have occurred without a strong commitment from both parties, and their partnership will serve as a model for other states and railroads as we work to achieve President Obama’s vision for high-speed rail in America.”
Gov. Chris Gregoire said the rail projects in the Seattle-to-Portland corridor will have real benefits for people and businesses traveling between the two cities. “These critical infrastructure investments will improve travel choices, preserve the ability to move freight, and foster economic growth across our state.”
BNSF has been working with the state of Washington for two decades in a public-private partnership that has expanded passenger services while maintaining BNSF’s ability to provide world-class freight rail service in the region.
“Today is an important step in continuing our partnership,” said Matthew Rose, president and chief operating officer for BNSF Railway. “Although much hard work remains, we are pleased to continue our ongoing efforts with Washington state and the US Department of Transportation to improve passenger rail service in the Pacific Northwest.”
Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said today’s agreement, the first between a state and a major freight railroad, builds on a strong and productive relationship between WSDOT and BNSF. “Our collaborative history will help ensure we move quickly to start building these important projects.”
“This agreement is a big step toward putting construction crews, engineers and others to work improving our state’s railways,” said Sen. Patty Murray. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure will help create family wage jobs and will provide the foundation necessary to ensure strong, long-term economic growth throughout the region.”
For more information about WSDOT’s Cascades high-speed rail program, visit WSDOT’s program website. For more information about Amtrak Cascades service, visit www.amtrakcascades.com.