Interchange Impacts Many Communities and Shippers in Eastern Washington
MOSES LAKE, Wash., Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Approximately 30 people attended an important meeting on December 15th in Moses Lake to discuss the Connell Rail Interchange, a key rail interchange in Eastern Washington where the Columbia Basin Railroad line intersects with BNSF Railway's Lakeside Subdivision line which runs between Spokane and Pasco, Washington. The meeting was Co-Chaired by Rep. Matt Manweller (13th Legislative District) and Rep. Susan Fagan (9th Legislative District) and was attended by Sen. Elect Judy Warnick (13th Legislative District), Rep. Elect. Tom Dent (13th Legislative District) and representatives of the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Commerce, Grant County, Adams County, Port of Moses Lake, Port of Warden, Port of Othello, Port of Royal Slope, City of Connell, Grant County Economic Development Council, Adams County Development Council, Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, BNSF Railway, Columbia Basin Railroad, ConAgra Foods, Columbia Colstor, Western Polymer Corporation and HDR.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141218/165228
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141218/165229
During the meeting there was a discussion and a presentation regarding the importance of the Connell Rail Interchange and the infrastructure issues that need to be addressed there as a result of the growth in rail traffic on both Columbia Basin Railroad and the BNSF Railway lines.
The Columbia Basin Railroad Line goes through the heart of the Columbia Basin in eastern Washington and serves Moses Lake, Wheeler, Schrag, Warden, Bruce, Othello and Connell in Grant, Adams and Franklin Counties. Over the past several years, a significant amount of economic development has been occurring in communities on the Columbia Basin Railroad Line, especially in Grant and Adams Counties. As a result, the Columbia Basin Railroad line has become one of the busiest short lines in Washington State, hauling over 10,000 carloads annually of various agricultural, industrial commodities and other cargo for 60 active rail shippers in the Columbia Basin, which employ nearly 7,000 people in Grant and Adams Counties.
The Connell Rail Interchange was built nearly 100 years ago and the configuration of the Interchange is outdated and inefficient. Consequently, the Connell Rail Interchange needs to be upgraded and improved to accommodate the tremendous growth in rail cargo that is flowing to/through Connell.
Stated Rep. Matt Manweller, "Given the direct impact of the Connell Rail Interchange on rail service to several communities and ports in the Columbia Basin, it is great to see the tremendous interest and attendance on December 15th by various state agencies, legislators, ports, cities, counties, economic development councils, companies that want to work together to address the infrastructure issues relating to the Connell Rail Interchange that were highlighted and discussed at the meeting."
For more information about the recent Connell Rail Interchange meeting, contact Rep. Matt Manweller at 360-786-7573 or email or go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Upgrading-and-Improving-the-Connell-Rail-Interchange/1473395256231097.