Last night Port of Everett CEO Les Reardanz updated the Everett City Council on the latest happening at the Port. Among things mentioned were the top two capital projects at the Port. First, the Seaport Modernization with work underway redeveloping the south Terminal to serve larger ships and speed rail traffic through the Port as well as the main BNSF line through Everett. Here’s an overview of the rail line project now getting underway…

This month, Granite Construction started construction on a new, 3,300 lineal foot double rail siding near the South Terminal to support international cargo movement at the Port of Everett.

In February, the Port Commission awarded a $3.4 million contract to the Everett-based contractor to complete the second phase of the Port’s terminal rail enhancements to improve regional rail freight mobility and increase capacity of rail freight at the Port of Everett Seaport. This project was made possible, in part, by a federal TIGER grant. The TIGER program is an extremely valuable grant program for reinvesting in our nation’s transportation infrastructure.

The project will increase our current on-terminal rail footprint from 9,200 lineal feet to 12,500 lineal feet, and it is slated for completion in November. The project also provides a critical connection that allows BNSF easier ingress and egress to the Port’s shipping facilities, reducing congestion on the mainline from Seattle to Canada and east along the northern corridor.

The Port utilizes rail to support U.S. exports and imports, including the aerospace, construction, manufacturing, energy, agricultural and forest products industries. The project allows the Port to safely and efficiently transport goods from ship to shore, with cargo arriving and departing the terminals utilizing rail as well as trucks. The use of rail service for the cargo shipments has the potential to eliminate at least 429 million commercial truck miles off of the local roads and highways. Additionally, this project will retain and help grow the Port’s 13,614 direct trade-related jobs, and provide approximately 70 construction jobs.

The second major project is Waterfront Place Central which is expected to have apartments, five restaurants, a 140 room business class hotel and many other pedestrian friendly amenities.

The Port of Everett is holding an open house on Thursday April 20th from 4 – 7 PM to update the latest on Waterfront Place.

You can also visit the Port of Everett website for more information on both projects.



