MOSES LAKE - Approximately 30 people attended a meeting on Dec. 15 in Moses Lake to discuss needed upgrades on the Connell Rail Interchange, which affects rail shipping for several communities, including Royal City.

The Connell Rail Interchange is located where the Columbia Basin Railroad line intersects with BNSF Railway's Lakeside Subdivision line, which runs between Spokane and Pasco.

The meeting was co-chaired by Rep. Matt Manweller (13th Legislative District) and Rep. Susan Fagan (9th Legislative District) and was attended by Senator-elect Judy Warnick (13th Legislative District) and Rep.-elect. Tom Dent (13th Legislative District).

"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," Manweller said.

The Columbia Basin Railroad Line has become one of the busiest short lines in the state. It hauls more than 10,000 carloads annually of various agricultural and industrial commodities and other cargo for 60 active rail shippers in the Columbia Basin. They 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The Connell Rail Interchange was built nearly 100 years ago and the configuration of the Interchange is outdated and inefficient, officials say. They say it needs to be upgraded and improved to accommodate the growth in rail cargo that is flowing to/through Connell.

Manweller noted various state agencies, legislators, ports, cities, counties, economic development councils and companies want to work together to address the infrastructure issues discussed at the meeting.

Also present were 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 and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

There was a discussion and a presentation regarding the importance of the Connell Rail Interchange and the infrastructure issues that need to be addressed.

The Columbia Basin Railroad Line goes through the heart of the Columbia Basin and serves Moses Lake, Wheeler, Schrag, Warden, Bruce, Othello and Connell in Grant, Adams and Franklin counties.

The Port of Royal Slope and its Royal Slope Railroad are set to start transporting cargo through the same interchange.