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Ridgefield: Pioneer Street Rail Overpass Project at 90% Design Completion
3/2/2011 12:00:00 AM
For Immediate Release: February 23, 2011
Ridgefield: Pioneer Street Rail Overpass Project at 90% Design Completion
The Port of Ridgefield has announced that the Pioneer Street Rail Overpass project has reached 90% design completion and plans are being submitted to Washington State Department of Transportation and the City of Ridgefield for review. “The Pioneer Street Rail Overpass is now considered shovel ready, and construction could start next year if funding for the project is included in this year’s federal transportation bill”, said Randy Mueller, Director of Business Development for the Port. “If it doesn't get funded this time around we, in all likelihood, will have to wait and try again in 6-8 years the next time they do a transportation bill”. “We certainly hope that is not the case”, said Scott Hughes, Port of Ridgefield Commissioner. “This overpass means a great deal to the community with regard to improved public safety and continued redevelopment of the City’s waterfront.”
The overpass will extend Pioneer St., the main road leading into the city of Ridgefield, out over the railroad tracks and landing the on waterfront. “Our goal is to provide safe, unobstructed, and direct access to the redeveloped Ridgefield waterfront, as well as to the “Carty” unit (and potentially the “River S” unit) of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge”, stated Brent Grening, Executive Director of the Port. “At present, safety and access to the waterfront by emergency vehicles, cars, trucks, and pedestrians are considered deficient because of the street-level rail crossings and inadequate emergency access.”
Major benefits to the community and to the region include: allowing closure of up to three at-grade railroad crossings, including the Mill Street crossing which has been ranked the 5th most dangerous crossing in Washington State, improved visitor and tourist access to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Presently, the “Carty Unit” of the refuge is not easily handicapped accessible and the “River S Unit” is currently accessible only via a failing bridge on Refuge Road. Furthermore, this project will increase railroad mainline capacity through the Portland metro area - where 70-80 trains pass through Ridgefield on a daily basis and enabling the extension of the high speed rail corridor between Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver, BC and provide safe access to the Port of Ridgefield, a major job center for the city of Ridgefield.
Total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $12.5 million including: final design, engineering and administration, right-of-way acquisition, environmental impact mitigation, construction, contingency and mobilization.
About the Port of Ridgefield
The Port of Ridgefield was formed in 1940 and is charged with bringing economic development to the greater Ridgefield area. The Port district covers approximately 57 square miles, represents over 15,000 constituents and is led by three elected commissioners: Joe Melroy, Bruce Wiseman, and Scott Hughes. The Port is currently involved with the environmental cleanup and redevelopment of the Ridgefield waterfront, Ridgefield Rail Overpass and other projects.
Public meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Port offices located at 111 W Division St. Ridgefield WA. Meetings start at 3:00 PM. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information about the Port, visit www.portridgefield.org or:
Contact: Michael Williams
Marketing & Communications Manager
360.887.3873
mwilliams@portridgefield.org