Chief
01-24-2008, 05:47 PM
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Sixth Street in downtown Vancouver, between the BNSF Railway underpass and Jefferson, will be temporarily closed beginning Monday, Jan. 28, for construction related to the Port of Vancouver’s West Vancouver Freight Access rail project. Traffic can continue to reach south downtown blocks east of Jefferson by using Eighth Street.
Port contractors will be relocating a sewer line that runs under Sixth Street in preparation for building a new rail line into the port. Construction began this month on Schedule 1A of the project south of the BNSF rail berm and west of I-5. The Sixth Street closure is expected to last about two weeks.
The new alignment will improve access for freight trains serving the port while reducing congestion on the national rail network where it runs through Vancouver. The port has allocated $13.7 million for Schedule One construction, which will build the rail line from roughly Columbia Boulevard west to LaFarge cement and Albina Asphalt.
The project will also facilitate redevelopment of a long-dormant stretch of the Columbia River waterfront by eliminating a rail spur that bisects the former Boise Cascade industrial site. Based on the Vancouver City Center Vision Plan, a group of private investors envisions transforming the Boise land into an urban neighborhood of condominiums, waterfront retail and restaurants, office space and possibly a new hotel.
In addition, the port’s project will contribute to a related rail project by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Moving the port’s current rail crossing will enable WSDOT’s upcoming $110 million Vancouver Bypass passenger rail line to flow more freely through this congested area.
About the Port of Vancouver USA
The Port of Vancouver USA is recognized as one of the leading ports on the U.S. West Coast, and within the global marketplace, because of its efficiencies in handling cargo, its modern facilities and a dependable labor force. The port also has easy access to intermodal transportation networks including the Columbia River, Interstate 5, Interstate 84 and the U.S. mainline rail system.
– POV –
=======================
Nelson Holmberg
Communications Manager
Port of Vancouver USA
3103 NW Lower River Road
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-992-1107 - direct
360-518-2553 - mobile
nholmberg@portvanusa.com
Port contractors will be relocating a sewer line that runs under Sixth Street in preparation for building a new rail line into the port. Construction began this month on Schedule 1A of the project south of the BNSF rail berm and west of I-5. The Sixth Street closure is expected to last about two weeks.
The new alignment will improve access for freight trains serving the port while reducing congestion on the national rail network where it runs through Vancouver. The port has allocated $13.7 million for Schedule One construction, which will build the rail line from roughly Columbia Boulevard west to LaFarge cement and Albina Asphalt.
The project will also facilitate redevelopment of a long-dormant stretch of the Columbia River waterfront by eliminating a rail spur that bisects the former Boise Cascade industrial site. Based on the Vancouver City Center Vision Plan, a group of private investors envisions transforming the Boise land into an urban neighborhood of condominiums, waterfront retail and restaurants, office space and possibly a new hotel.
In addition, the port’s project will contribute to a related rail project by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Moving the port’s current rail crossing will enable WSDOT’s upcoming $110 million Vancouver Bypass passenger rail line to flow more freely through this congested area.
About the Port of Vancouver USA
The Port of Vancouver USA is recognized as one of the leading ports on the U.S. West Coast, and within the global marketplace, because of its efficiencies in handling cargo, its modern facilities and a dependable labor force. The port also has easy access to intermodal transportation networks including the Columbia River, Interstate 5, Interstate 84 and the U.S. mainline rail system.
– POV –
=======================
Nelson Holmberg
Communications Manager
Port of Vancouver USA
3103 NW Lower River Road
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-992-1107 - direct
360-518-2553 - mobile
nholmberg@portvanusa.com