RATHDRUM - BNSF Railway and the City of Rathdrum are ironing out details for a second set of tracks to run parallel to the railroad's existing tracks in the city.

"We will eventually add track in North Idaho, including in Rathdrum and Athol, but not this year," said Gus Melonas, BNSF Railway spokesman.

Melonas said the second set of tracks is intended to alleviate bottlenecks and congestion and doesn't necessarily mean there will be more rail traffic rolling through the area in the future.

"Volumes and commodity types fluctuate based on demand," Melonas said.

BNSF added more than 17 miles of additional track at identified bottleneck areas last year between Spokane and Pasco.

"Adding tracks allows us to be ready for future demand and ease congestion," he said.

Melonas said BNSF plans to spend "several million" dollars in upgrades in North Idaho this year, including adding a bridge over Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint.

An average of 50 to 55 trains roll through the Idaho Panhandle on the BNSF system per day, Melonas said. Of those, 3.5 are loaded coal trains and 2.5 are loaded oil trains.

"The remaining products being transported are A to Z," said Melonas, adding that Army supplies, lumber, automobiles and apples are among a few of the other products.

The second set of tracks in Rathdrum will be built on existing BNSF property.

"If the future demand is there, we want to have the capability to have a safe and efficient way to move the freight," Melonas said.

Rathdrum Engineer Kevin Jump said the city has requested that BNSF maintain the "quiet zone" through Rathdrum that was implemented a few years ago after the city spent $60,000 worth of safety improvements on Mill Street.

The city has also asked for a new sidewalk on BNSF's property on the south side of the tracks to replace an aging and damaged one and extending turn lanes in both directions on Highway 53 at Mill Street.

"We want to see traffic on Highway 53 continue to flow," Jump said.

BNSF has also indicated that it will maintain and extend the pedestrian underpass near Mountain View Alternative High School to allow for safe passage under the tracks.

"The city and BNSF have had a good relationship and, from our perspective, the concerns have been addressed," said Brett Boyer, city administrator.

Jump said the city is neutral on BNSF's plans for a second track because the company will expand on its own property. He said since BNSF is projecting future train volumes to increase - otherwise it wouldn't be investing in a second track - the city is thankful the railroad is adding capacity to accurately meet that demand.

"If you add a second set of tracks, it adds to the capacity of the railway, so that could result in less frequent traffic congestion," he said. "We're really not sure if it will have a negative or positive impact, but we still want to maintain the quality of life in Rathdrum."