MOSES LAKE — Construction could start in 2024 on a long-delayed project to replace the railroad tracks running through downtown Moses Lake with a new line between Wheeler Road and the Port of Moses Lake.

Milton Miller, director of port facilities, said about five miles of track will be built. The project also will include the rehabilitation of about 3.5 miles of existing track near Patton Boulevard leading to the port.

“We’re currently in right of way purchase. So between actual real property and temporary construction easements, there are roughly 18 easements and/or parcels that we have to purchase. Currently, there are three under port ownership,” he said.

“We’re hoping to have that process this calendar year, to have it out to bid by the first quarter of next year and hopefully have construction begin in June of next year,” Miller said.

Once the new railroad is completed, the existing line through Moses Lake will be taken out of service.

“That was the fundamental essence of the project, to eliminate the safety concerns from having train cars go through downtown, as well as congestion issues. And bring rail viability back to the port for economic development,” Miller said.

The existing line isn’t in use, but can’t be repurposed either, at least not now.

“Due to certain federal regulations that line can’t be abandoned until we have a different service connection,” Miller said. “So the (owners) can’t sell, repurpose or (do) anything with the line downtown until we have a new service connection out at the port,” Miller said.

The new rail line will reconnect Moses Lake with the BNSF lines at Connell.

“That opens up this whole Wheeler Corridor,” Miller said.

The new section of rail line will run south of Wheeler Road, cross Wheeler about 1 to 2 miles west of State Route 17, run along Road 4 NE and connect with the existing line. The new section will require a bridge across Crab Creek and a rail crossing on Wheeler Road.

Construction should take about two years.

“With the in-water work and (irrigation) canals, we’re hoping less than 24 months (to completion),” Miller said. “Worst case scenario, we’re thinking 36 (months), but we’re shooting for 24.”

Environmental and other restrictions mean that some construction is confined to winter months when Crab Creek is at low flows and the irrigation canals are not in use, he said.

Miller said the new rail line would give Moses Lake businesses the opportunity to ship supplies and products in and out nationally, making Moses Lake more attractive to businesses looking for a site.

“There have been several industries that have sited, or are interested in rail service out here,” Miller said. “There are a lot of companies that need rail as part of their business model, to bring in their precursor or ship out their end product.”

The rail lines through Moses Lake are owned by the Columbia Basin Railroad, and port officials would contract with CBRR for service once the new line is complete, Miller said.

Port officials received a $20 million grant from the state in 2016 for the new and rehabilitated rail line and a $10 million federal grant in 2018. But the federal grant required updated environmental studies, Miller said, and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress further. Most of the original customers have made other plans or no longer need rail, he said, but rail still could be a valuable attraction to business.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at [email protected].