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From the Washington
Public Ports Association |
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september 2010 |
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Upcoming Events September
16-17, 2010 October
7-8, 2010 October
21-22, 2010
Annual Meeting Materials Coming Soon Nominate a Port Industry Leader for WPPA
Honors Invest in Excellence – Apply for the WPPA
Educational Foundation Scholarship Legislative Issue Talking Points Request for Proposals - Recovery Zone Economic
Development Bonds WSDOT and BNSF Sign Agreement to Move Recovery Act Rail
Projects Forward Rail Projects to Promote Economic Development, Improve
Mobility Dept. of Ecology Offers WorkShops in Eastern
Washington MSRC Co-Sponsors Training Sessions Broadband Workshops Coming Soon to 12 Communities WWU Receives Donation to Establish Pete Zuanich
Endowed Scholarship Grays Harbor PDA Tenant Expanding This fall WPPA has
created several seminars to bring the latest port topics to you in a
collaborative learning environment. Plan to join your colleagues at one or
more of the following: Transportation & Infrastructure Seminar Growing our state's trade and export sector is critical to leading
Washington out of our current economic challenges. However, our state's
infrastructure is simply not prepared to handle the increases in volume that
will be necessary. Nor are stakeholders and governmental agencies working
adequately together to partner, prioritize and coordinate efforts to make
sure our infrastructure dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. The 2010 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Seminar is going
to address these issues head-on. We'll take a critical look at what our
state's transportation infrastructure needs are and how they're currently
prioritized from the state, local and port perspective. We're bringing
together governmental agencies, ports and other stakeholders to talk about
how to move forward with a coordinated plan for prioritizing and funding
critical infrastructure projects. This will be a highly interactive seminar
and we encourage everyone to come ready to learn a lot and to be willing to
provide input. The conference takes place at the historic Mayflower Park Hotel in
downtown Seattle, September 16 - 17. Environmental Seminar Ports serve a unique dual purpose in our communities, balancing
economic development and environmental stewardship. In this way, our
operations prove that these two goals are not mutually exclusive but actually
work together in order to achieve the higher goal of long-term
sustainability. Yet, this focus on sustainability is relatively new in our state’s
history. When the first public ports formed one hundred years ago, the
state was rich in natural resources and the chief expectation was that public
ports would keep waterfront transportation free from private monopolies so
the state’s natural and agricultural resources could be exported to the rest
of the nation and the world. The core mission of economic development remains to this day.
However, the public’s expectations are much more sophisticated, the lines of
business are much more diverse, and the regulatory conditions are
increasingly complex. As we position our ports for the next hundred
years, we look for balance among these intertwining – and sometimes
conflicting – public expectations of economic activity and environmental
stewardship. This year’s Environmental Conference will focus on the questions
raised as we look towards the future: · How do we fund long-term, complex environmental cleanup
projects in an era of limited economic resources? · What is the vision of a new generation of agency leaders at
state environmental agencies? · How will national issues like the recent oil spill in the Gulf
of Mexico impact the regulatory climate in our
state?
Our discussion will include state agency heads such as Ted Sturdevant
and David Dicks, directors of the state Department of Ecology and the Puget
Sound Partnership (respectively). And it will include discussion with
subject matter experts and port managers. Plan to join your colleagues at the Alderbrook Resort October 7-8 for
this year’s Environmental Seminar. Small Ports Seminar The 2010 WPPA Small Ports Seminar is scheduled for October
21-22. This year’s seminar will run from 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 to
12:00 noon on Friday, October 22. This gives everyone the opportunity to
spend the evening together getting to know one another and sharing ideas and
experiences, and still only requires a one-night stay for most
folks. We’ll discuss audits, marketing, PRA/OPMA and more. We've also
scheduled an optional 1/2 day session on public works projects that will run
8:30-11:30 am on Thursday. A block of rooms has
been reserved at the Enzian, but, in order to get the conference rate, please
make your reservation by October 1. The WPPA Annual
Meeting will be held November 17-19 at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma. The CLE Seminars is scheduled for Tuesday,
November 16. This year’s meeting will also include an auction for the newly
established Goodstein Memorial Scholarship fund. More detailed program
information and registration materials will be mailed out by the end of the
month. Be sure to mark your calendars!
Every autumn
the Association takes time to reflect on those individuals and ports whose
efforts deserve special recognition from their peers. Washington’s Public Port Districts have accomplish Port of the Year
Award The WPPA Executive Committee is accepting nominations for the 2010
Port of the Year. Begun in 1987, the
Port of the Year Award is to recognize a member port that has demonstrated
exceptional success in our industry. The recipient
will be award Nominations may be made by any port to either nominate itself or
another member of Life Member The WPPA
Executive Committee is also accepting nominations for Honorary Life
Members. As stipulated in the WPPA
bylaws, “nomination for such membership shall be made by letter to the
Executive Committee from a member port and shall state in detail the
qualifications of the nominee for such membership. The qualifications shall
include the following criteria: The individual must have served as an officer
or committee chairman or employee of the association, and otherwise performed
extraordinary service for port industry accomplishments.” Honorary Life Members have full privileges of committee membership and
participation in WPPA activities. Outstanding Service In 1995, the
Executive Committee approved the establishment of the “Outstanding Service to
the Port Industry” award. The intent is to provide recognition to
commissioners and staff, upon retirement or departure, who have provided “a
significant and meaningful contribution to the success of a public port
district or the public port industry at the local, national or international
level.” Nominations must be in the Association’s office by 5:00 p.m. on September 27 to be eligible for Executive Committee action. Leading
a port is a difficult and complex task, requiring equal parts business
acumen, people skills, and political savvy – usually before lunch. In the rush of daily tasks, it’s difficult
to find the time to gain new tools and strategies for your port’s
success. The WPPA Educational
Foundation is an excellent opportunity for doing just that. The
Foundation provides port directors/managers of small to medium sized ports by
providing scholarship funds for leadership programs. You choose the program,
the dates to attend, and the location, and the Foundation provides a portion
of the cost. Jim
Rothlin, executive director of the Port of Chehalis, received a Foundation
scholarship and participated in a course at the Cascade Center for Public
Service. Jim said of his experience, “The program strengthened my skills as
Port Director and provided me with new tools as a leader and manager. I
gained a network of peers in the state’s business community, and I feel
fortunate to have been given the opportunity. It was well worth the
investment of time and effort.” The
Examples
of excellent programs are the Center for Creative Leadership (www.ccl.org),
Leadership Development Institute (www.sygroupinc.com), the Cascade
Center, UW Evans School of Public Affairs (www.cascadecourses.org), Stanford Professional Educational Executive
Programs (www.stanfordproed.org),
the National Development Council (www.ndc-online.org), the
American Economic Development Council (http://edd.cted.wa.gov), the
Council for Urban Economic Development (www.iedconline.org) and the
Public Policy Certificate Program through the UW-Tacoma. Please
send your complet In 1957 the legislature granted ports the
authority to impose a six-year Industrial Development District (IDD) levy of
up to $.45 per thousand on the property tax, as a funding tool for port
projects. In 1982 that authority was expanded to include an additional
six-year levy subject to repeal procedures. The proposal being considered by the WPPA
Legislative Committee for possible legislation would eliminate the
requirement that each IDD be levied for only six years. At the same time, it
would limit the total rate for each IDD collection period to not more than
$2.70 per thousand (the equivalent of $.45 per thousand for 6
years). After the levy collection period reaches the $2.70 per thousand
limit, that IDD levy could no longer be collected. This change would:
The current economic climate has left the state
unable to fund critical local infrastructure needs. Legislators are asking
local governments to utilize the tools they have for funding projects before
asking for new tools or money from the state for projects. Given the
current political climate, this change would improve our ability to make use
of this tool while not asking for any additional taxing authority. Any port that has not used up their IDD levy
capacity would be eligible to utilize this new flexibility. If you’re a
port with IDD capacity we would encourage you to talk with your legislators
today about the value of this change. If you have any questions, or
would like more information on this proposal, please call Ginger at
WPPA. Washington’s Department of Commerce is
requesting proposals for projects that qualify for Recovery Zone Economic
Development Bonds (RZEDBs). It is looking for projects that can use the
remaining amount of its allocation of tax-exemption authority authorized
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Commerce has approximately $8 million to $20
million of bond volume cap authority available for re-allocation to qualified
and eligible government agencies. RZEDBs are bonds that meet the
requirements of a “Build America Bond”. RZEDBs are taxable, tax credit
bonds with a forty-five percent federal tax credit subsidy. This
tax-credit subsidy is payable to the issuer semiannually from the U.S.
Treasury Department. RZEDBs must be issued before January 1, 2011.
The entire amount of the bond proceeds, which is defined as the sales
proceeds of the bond issue less not more than two percent of such proceeds to
pay for the issuance costs, must be used to fund one or more “qualified
economic development purposes”. During the construction of projects
funded with RZEDBs, contractors must pay the federal Davis-Bacon prevailing
wage. Applications for the allocation of tax-exempt
authority are due no later than October 15, 2010. The requisite bonds
must be issued before January 1, 2011. Additional information is available on
the Commerce website at http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1075/default.aspx. Please send questions or request for more
information to Bill Mandeville, AICP, Bond Cap Allocation Program Manager at bill.mandeville@commerce.wa.gov. The recent “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. 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 freight rail service in the region. Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said the 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.” In an effort
to improve freight rail transportation across the state, the Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is reviewing applications for $7.75
million in legislative funding available through grant and loan programs. The
freight rail assistance programs are funded by the state Legislature to
promote economic development and improve mobility by supporting and funding
key projects and operations. Project proposals for funding can benefit state
freight mobility through capital rail projects that increase economic
development and domestic and international trade, and reduce congestion and
roadway maintenance costs. “These grant
and loan programs are growing in demand and we are seeing stronger and more
substantial project proposals that will help improve freight mobility across
the state,” said Scott Witt, State Rail & Marine Director. Last
biennium, 14 applications were submitted for consideration. A total of 21
applications were received on Aug. 20 seeking more than $9 million in grants
and more than $2.8 million in loans. The Freight
Rail Investment Bank program is a loan program available to public agencies
and intended for either smaller projects or as a small part of a larger
project. A total of $5 million in loans is available during the 2011-2013
biennium. Loans are limited to $250,000 and must be matched by at least
20 percent of funds from other sources. The Freight
Rail Assistance Program is a grant program open to applicants in both the public
agencies and private companies and is intended for larger, more significant
projects. A total of $2.75 million in grants is available during the
2011–2013 biennium. The legislature determines how those funds will be spent
based upon the applications submitted through WSDOT and may choose to
increase or decrease the actual funding made available for the 2011-2013
biennium. WSDOT
received seven applications for the Freight Rail Investment Bank and 14 for
the Freight Rail Assistance Program. Applications
were received from private and public organizations from all over the state,
including the Port of Longview and the Port of Vancouver. WSDOT will
provide the legislature with a prioritized list of projects by Nov. 1. If approved, the funds will be available
after July 2011. Additional
information is available on WSDOT’s Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Freight/Rail/GrantandLoanPrograms.
The Department of Ecology is offering four
training workshops for local government permittee staff on the 2004 Stormwater
Management Manual for Eastern Washington. The workshop will cover
stormwater site plan review to meet the Core Elements for new development and
redevelopment projects. In addition, there will be a presentation on review
of construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans. The four workshop dates and locations are:
September 28 - Wenatchee
September 29 – Richland
October 13 – Spokane
October 14 – Clarkston Although there is no fee to attend, space is
limited, so you must register for the workshop. More information and online
registration is at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/EcyWorkshops.html. Purchasing
Bidding and Contract Management Workshops September 22-23, 2010 Camas Public Library, Community
Room 625 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA
98607 Instructors: John Carpita, MRSC,
Anna Vogel, City of Vancouver, and Mike Purdy, Mike Purdy and Associates October 13-14, 2010 Padilla Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve 10441 Bayview-Edison Road Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Instructors: John Carpita, MRSC,
Tracey Dunlap, City of Kirkland, and Mike Purdy, Mike Purdy and Associates Register at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/6FA231B1-7AF0-4F1C-A149-F10C241478C3/0/PurchasingClassBrochure20102.pdf 2010 Washington Chapter APWA Fall Conference Preconference Workshop Help Build
Your Extraordinary Future (Projects) by Selecting Extraordinary Consultants
Now Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Wenatchee Convention Center 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register at http://www.apwa-wa.org/news/conferences/10fall/confselect.aspx
For more information
on any of the above workshops, please contact John W. Carpita of the MSRC at
206-625-1300 or jcarpita@mrsc.org.
The Department of
Information Service’s (DIS) Broadband Program and state Department of
Commerce are conducting several broadband workshops. The agenda will include
opportunities for funding (that may be available to states, after the
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds for broadband) for telehealth,
distance learning and small businesses. DIS is collaborating with
Commerce where broadband impacts economic development and job creation for
your community. Please join them
for an interactive discussion about the type of broadband applications your
organization and your community would like to use. They are in the
process of collecting information about the type of broadband applications
many kinds of industry sectors and many groups of consumers in our state use
or need, especially for businesses and community services (e.g., schools, hospital,
nonprofits, public safety, etc). The information they collect will be
included in their preliminary report on the broadband capability and needs of
our state. They are looking
to meet with representatives of several industry and public sector groups
that rely on or would benefit from broadband. The details for
the workshops are as follows: §
Sept.
13 9am to
noon Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center, 14
Tribes Room, Spiel-yi Loop, Toppenish §
Sept.
14 8:30 to 11:30
a.m. TriCities
Business and Visitors Center, Bechtel Board Room, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd.,
Kennewick §
Sept.
15 9 a.m. to noon Walla Walla
Community College Enology & Viticulture Center, Room 1608, 500 Tausick
Way, Walla Walla §
Sept.
17 9 a.m. to noon Greater Spokane Incorporated, 801 W. Riverside Ave, Ste
100, Spokane §
Sept.
21 9 a.m. to noon Okanogan
County PUD Auditorium, 1331 2nd Avenue North, Okanogan §
Sept.
22 9 a.m. to noon Confluence
Technology Center, Entiat Room, 285 Technology Center Way, Wenatchee §
Sept.
27 3 to 6
p.m. Mount Baker School District Conference Room 4956
Deming Road, Deming §
Sept.
27 1 to 4
p.m. Cowlitz Regional Conference Center, Northeast
Loowit Room, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview §
Sept.
28 1 to 4
p.m. WSU Jefferson County Extension, 201 West Patison, Port Hadlock §
Sept.
28 1 to 4
p.m. Satsop Development Park Cafeteria, 150
Technology Lane, Elma §
Sept.
29 1 to 4 p.m.
Skagit County Commissioners Hearing Room, 1800
Continental Place, Mount Vernon §
Sept.
29 1 to 4
p.m. Pioneer Center,
Room #112, 501 NE
Washington, White Salmon Seating is limited; please RSVP ASAP to: Alisha Reitan at Alisha.Reitan@dis.wa.gov
or 360-902-2981. If you have any questions
please contact: Kenny Spain at 509-393-0059 or Kenny.Spain@commerce.wa.gov;
Lynn Longan at 360-481-3106 or Lynn.Longan@commerce.wa.gov;
Terry Lawhead at 509-990-2416 or Terry.Lawhead@commerce.wa.gov;
or Sally Harris at 206-276-0059 or Sally.Harris@commerce.wa.gov
Donors have
endowed a scholarship at Western Washington University to honor the late Pete
Zuanich, a longtime Port of Bellingham commissioner. An initial
$100,000 donation by Rob and Michelle Zuanich established the endowment,
which funds the scholarship from accumulated earnings. The scholarship funds
four years of tuition and fees for a student with a stated interest in
community service, and with a first preference for students from Whatcom
County. The first
recipient of the scholarship is Stephanie Robinson of Blaine, who will be
attending Western this fall as a freshman. "This
endowment is an appropriate tribute to my father, who never had the
opportunity to attend college." said Rob Zuanich. "Our hope is
like-minded people, who appreciated what my father did for the community,
will also give to the endowment and make college possible for others." Born in Bellingham
in 1916, Pete Zuanich served as a commissioner for 43 years, one of the
longest tenures of a port commissioner in the United States. His efforts on
the commission were instrumental in building of the Squalicum Harbor, luring Intalco
Aluminum Corp. to Whatcom County and bringing the Alaska Marine Highway
System to Fairhaven. Philanthropy and community service were also a way of
life for Pete Zuanich, who donated all compensation he received as a
commissioner to various worthwhile community projects such as the Bellingham
Aquatic Center and the Squalicum Harbor's Park, which was officially renamed
Zuanich Point Park, in 1995, to honor his retirement from the Port. Robinson, a
graduate of Blaine High School, said she plans to study pre-law at Western. "I would just
like to thank the Zuanich family for their generous contribution to my
education and let them know that, because of them, I will be able to focus
solely on my studies," Robinson said. "I am truly grateful for
their support and hope that one day I will be able to do for someone what
they are doing for me." For more
information about how to contribute to the endowment or help support students
at Western, please contact the Western Washington University Foundation at
(360) 650-3027 or via the Foundation website at: http://www.foundation.wwu.edu//index.html
Fifteen to 20 welders
are being tested right now at BMT-Northwest to help with a new contract to
build a $3.2 million, 10-tank, five-module package for the cementing part of
an oil rig located on Spy Island near the tiny village of Nikaitchuq on the
Beaufort Sea in Alaska. The new hires will bring
the number of employees at BMT-Northwest to about 82. This order for M.I.
Swaco, which is scheduled to be complete in January, is larger than the one
BMT-NW completed last year in October. That one was a 26,400 barrel system
that went to Liberty Platform on the North Slope of Alaska. This contract is
for a 44,000 barrel system, said Rollie Irwin, vice president of
manufacturing for BMT-Northwest. “Getting this rig
package contract is only because of being located at Satsop Development
Park,” Irwin said. “We have the space and the capacity here to rig this up
inside the building as well as the ability to barge it out when we’re done.” In April, another
large order headed for Alaska was the first to be shipped from the Park’s
newly renovated industrial barge slip on the Chehalis River. The barge slip is 60
feet wide and 300 feet long and can accommodate barges up to 400 feet. It is
designed for full access around the slip and is easily accessible to large
cranes and heavy equipment. Accessible by a 30-foot wide, 1,000-ton capacity
private haul road, the facility is owned by the Satsop Development
Park, managed by BMT-Northwest, and available for use by any business needing
Chehalis River access, explained Tami Garrow, CEO of the Park. “Also, ample warehouse,
manufacturing and lay-down space is available at the Park to support
businesses needing this type of infrastructure,” she added. In addition to the
recent large tank order, BMT-Northwest just contracted to build 1,500 linear
feet of trough embeds and doors – that’s about four football fields long of
parts – for renovating one of Boeing Company’s hangars in Everett. “Besides making
tanks, we do all sorts of structural steel work, skid packages and different
types of steel fabrication,” Irwin said. The work for the
Boeing hangar should be done sometime in October or November, he said. “We are thrilled that
BMT’s location at the Park is enabling them to land new business – including
these larger jobs and unique projects that require the super-sized facilities
here at Satsop,” said Garrow. “Our whole purpose as
a community-focused business park is to provide opportunities for our
businesses to grow and thrive, creating new jobs and revenue for our region.
We are so grateful for BMT’s presence here at Satsop and we are hoping its
success will attract others who recognize the Park’s many benefits to
business” she said. Coupeville Receives
Green Power Award
Record
Corn Shipment Sets Sail for Saudi
Arabia from Grays Harbor August brought
another historic first for the Port of Grays Harbor, and shipping partner Ag
Processing Inc. (AGP), as the MN Intrepid set sail loaded with the largest corn export shipment
to move through Washington's Pacific Coast port. The shipment marked an
already record setting year for the Port of Grays Harbor. The MN Intrepid arrived August 15, and loaded
a record 47,000 metric tons of U.S. No. 2 Yellow Corn destined for Dammam,
Saudi Arabia. This was the largest dry bulk shipment of corn through the Port
of Grays Harbor, and the first export to Saudi Arabia in Port history. A
representative of the buyer visited Grays Harbor and was on hand during the
loading. "This shipment
was another example of how AGP and the Port of Grays Harbor continue to
expand the cargo being exported through the Port," reported Port
Commission President Jack Thompson. "As new markets are emerging in Asia
and the Middle East, our partner, AGP, has developed new international
relationships, which is good news for their farmer members and good news for
the Grays Harbor community." This notable corn
shipment arrived as construction was underway on AGP's expansion at the Port
of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen, Washington. The $60 million expansion includes
on-site storage silos and additional rail infrastructure to increase handling
capacity at the AGP Terminal 2 facility. Dry bulk exports by AGP through
Grays Harbor have steadily increased in the past few
years and Port officials estimate shipping volumes will more than double due
to the expansion. AGP, the largest farmer-owned soybean processor
in the world, is owned by cooperatives in the Midwest representing over
200,000 farmers from 16 states throughout the United States. The cooperative
has been exporting product through Grays Harbor since 2003. Lamb Retires
After 30 Years at Port of Moses Lake The Port of Moses Lake recently said goodbye to finance/administration
manager, Bonnie Lamb after 30 years of service to port. She and her husband
are planning to travel and enjoy retirement together. Bonnie went to
work for the port in 1980. Her former bosses, Col. Clyde Owen and June
Higgins, were working at the port at the time. During her many years with the
port staff remained mostly the same, with only a few management changes. She
worked for David Bailey, also retired from the port, and most recently, the
current Executive Director, Craig Baldwin. In 2004 Bonnie received an award for 10 years of
clean audits, and subsequently had 6 more years of clean audits. Baldwin said, “Bonnie has done an outstanding
job during her tenure, and has helped move the Port forward at top
speed. One of her many accomplishments was over 16 years of no findings
on the annual state audits. Bonnie’s sense of humor, sense of pride,
and outstanding dedication will greatly be missed.” Pend Oreille to
receive money to upgrade 24 rail crossings State regulators approved funds to improve the
safety of 165 railroad crossings throughout Washington state. The Washington Utilities and Transportation
Commission (UTC) approved $35,250 from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund
(GCPF) for BNSF Railway Company to replace or install yield or stop signs,
wood posts with retro-reflective tape, retro-reflective cross buck signs and
emergency notification signs statewide. The UTC also approved $6,000 from the
GCPF for Pend Oreille Valley Railroad to make the same improvements to 24
crossings in Pend Oreille County. The upgrades come in response to the Federal
Highway Administration revised Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
requiring yield or stop signs on all passively protected public rail
crossings by 2019. It also requires retro-reflective cross buck signs and
tape on cross buck sign posts by 2012. The retro-reflective cross buck signs
and tape on posts improve nighttime visibility warning motorists of an
approaching crossing. BNSF’s statewide upgrades to their mainline
crossings must be completed by June 30, 2011. The state is contributing
$35,250 and BNSF is contributing $67,950 toward the cost of the upgrades. Pend Oreille Valley Railroad’s upgrades are
focused at crossings located within Pend Oreille County. The state is
contributing $6,000 and Pend Oreille Valley Railroad is contributing $580
toward the cost of the upgrades. The upgrades must be completed by Dec. 31,
2010. The Legislature created the GCPF in 1969 to
provide money for safety measures designed to decrease the potential for
accidents and fatalities at public and private crossings and along railroad
tracks in the state. The UTC administers the fund. Chief
Administrative Officer, Port of Everett Executive
Director, Port of St. Helens, Oregon © 2006
Washington Public Ports Association. All rights reserved PO Box 1518
* Olympia, WA 98507 |
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