MOSES LAKE, Wash. — The Columbia Basin Railroad has donated about 3 miles of rail line to the Port of Moses Lake, aiding the port’s effort to expand its rail network as part of the North Columbia Basin Railroad Project.
The project seeks to rebuild or rehabilitate approximately 8 miles of rail line, restoring rail service that ended in 2009. It will connect the existing Columbia Basin Railroad line at Wheeler, Wash., to Grant County International Airport and about 1,250 acres of industrial property along the Wheeler Industrial Corridor. It has received state and federal funding for construction of Segments 1 and 2 of the project; the donated rail line, Segment 3, is currently inactive and will be refurbished.
“We are thankful to Columbia Basin Railroad for their donation of Segment 3,” Dan Roach, executive director of the Port of Moses Lake, said in a press release. “This donation will play a pivotal role in helping the Port to enhance the rail infrastructure as well as to support industrial and economic development of Moses Lake and the area.”
The Port Commission accepted the donation at its March 10 meeting.
“This collaboration with Columbia Basin Railroad brings us closer to our goal of restored and enhanced logistical connectivity and efficiency, which will greatly benefit local industries and our community,” Darrin Jackson, commission president, said in a press release.
Expected benefits of the project include opening up lakefront development opportunities in downtown Moses Lake, and enhanced access to nearby industrial areas. It is anticipated to attract rail-dependent businesses, support regional economic development, and reduce wear and tear on roadways.
“We are proud to support the Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project by donating Segment 3 of our rail line to the Port of Moses Lake,” said Columbia Basin Railroad CEO Brig Temple. “This project will not only enhance rail connectivity but also contribute to the economic vitality of the Moses Lake area by improving access to vital industries and creating new job opportunities.”
These lines in Grant County WA support a bunch of potato (Simplot), onion and fruit growers. Because of that there are tons of cold storage facilities that store and forward much of it. There is a branch line that meanders on the old MILW over to Royal City for aggregates and more potatoes.
This whole area is one huge reclamation district using water retained as part of the Grand Coulee project in the 1950’s. Washington has been subsidizing Columbia River water relocation across many farms for more than 70 years in this area. The airport at Moses Lake is where Boeing does all of their shake down testing for their commercial aircraft but I don’t think they are a rail customer here as everything is flown in for them.
As for the rail in downtown Moses Lake, I am sure when it was in use the horns disturbed the locals while picking up their flavored froth at Dutch Bros or Starbucks or held them up for all of 30 seconds to get across the lake arm. There is already a trail next to the rails which are listed as out of service.
The state puts a lot of dough in maintaining the agrarian economy in central parts including rail.
Columbia Basin gets an upgraded line to serve the industrial park. As well no longer needs to pay property taxes on that segment. A win – win for everyone.
The cynical part of me thinks, “Wow, great PR spin making it sound like they donated a line, when it is closer to the truth that the city, state, and feds built the railroad a nice new bypass that allows them to abandon between 3 to 6 miles of track through prime lake front real estate.”
But, you know, more power to them for figuring out how to build a bypass like this. A couple times in my career I have seen opportunities like this come up, yet never materialize because getting all the players to agree proved impossible.