Since Jason Biggs is unable to attend this morning and there are no updates from last week's Rail Authority Meeting, I am canceling today’s meeting. I have attached the current PCC CRISI Project Phasing Map and below is a recap of the PCC updates presented last week: - 2022 CRISI Phase II Grant - CW Branch – Cheney to Davenport ($30M) - Construction update – Martinus is undercutting, replacing walkway ballast, installing and surfacing switches. Expected to complete track work by the end of May and punchlist items by mid-June. - P&L Branch – Marshall to Garfield ($26M) - Construction update – Railworks was awarded the contract and construction is scheduled to start the end of May. - PV Hooper – Hooper to Winona/Winona to St. John ($56M) - Contract plans and special provisions are at 60%. - 60% Region Review is scheduled in July - Ad Date - November 2, 2026 - Construction April/May 2027 - 2024 CRISI Phase III: CW Branch – Davenport to Wilbur ($58M) - Funding – WSDOT $20.3M/Fed $37.7M - Expecting to have an executed contract with FRA by the end of July. Monthly check in meeting with FRA next week. - Tentative Construction scheduled to start April/May 2028 - 2026 CRISI Phase IV: CW Branch – Wilbur to Hanson ($45M) - Hit a homerun with the 2022 CRISI, so the goal for the Phase IV project is to make the application as attractive as possible. So we are going with a 50% match and ensure that the project meets the NOFO’s and current administration’s requirements and goals. 19-mile capital rail improvement project. - Funding – WSDOT $22.5M/Fed $22.5M - Working with our consultant, and the application is due June 22nd - Tentative Construction scheduled to start April/May 2029 - Capital Improvement Project Delivery Plan (2030 – 2040) - Phase V: System-Wide Bridge Replacement and Repair Projects - Currently working with a consultant to develop a bridge priority replacement/repair plan. We are in the scoping phase at this point and finalizing a task order for the consultant to inspect the bridges and provide condition reports and determine whether a more extensive/detailed inspection is needed. The bridge priority plan will allow us to develop a project schedule and the necessary funding to address these issues. - There are a few federal funding opportunities, such as the Bridge Improvement Program and National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program, but we will continue to apply for future CRISI grants as well, to help stretch state funds. - Phase VI: CW Branch – Hanson to Coulee City - Similar to Phase IV and will be the capstone project of the CW Branch. There are a lot of freight movement on the west end of the branch and would be another attractive opportunity for a CRISI Grant - Future State Funded Improvements - Unfortunately, the following projects are not the best candidates for CRISI grants, so there is state funding from the Move Washington Ahead Package allocated for these improvements. - P&L Branch - Garfield to Fallon - PV Hooper Branch - St. John to Thornton - Winona to Mockonema - 100% of the PCC System will be at state of good repair. - BLPI/WIMRY Update - BLPI/WSDOT operating lease agreement - Agreement is executed. WIMRY’s attorney is preparing to submit the lease agreement to Surface Transportation Board to become an approved operator in Washington. Typically, it takes 30 to 45 days for approval. - Moving 5 to 7 cars to Palouse once a week. - 2023-2025 FRAP Project - SS&P FRAP- Oaksdale to Fallon - Work started in July 2024 and includes 8,400 tie replacements, ballast distribution, and SLD between Oakesdale to Fallon. - Remaining 3,000 ties and SLD will be installed in July/August. - 2025-2027 FRAP Projects - HighLine Grain Growers (WSDOT $1.2M/HighLine $3.1M) - Upgrade Hartline loadout facility, purchase a trackmobile, and improving and and increasing storage on the siding track with 100 lb rail and two new mainline switches. - Construction update – Two grain bins, scale building, drive pit, and leg tower construction is complete. Currently installing the conveyance equipment. Once the west end of the track work is completed, Railworks will move to install the east end rail connection and finish the project with ballast distribution and surfacing. - Pacific Northwest Farmer’s Cooperative (WSDOT $2.9M/PNW $ 9.6M) - Site grading to construct a Hoop House to increase storage and continued development of the McCoy Terminal. The grading will accommodate 2 future Hoop Houses. Each Hoop House can store 3M bushels of grain. - Agreement is close to being executed. - 2027-2029 FRIB/FRAP Call for Projects - Announced on Memorial Day (May 25th)- $ 7M available - Applications will be due on Labor Day (Sept. 7th) - Palouse SR 27 Rail Crossing and Wall status - Rail Crossing – Meeting with the Region Traffic and Signal Office later this month. - Retaining Wall – - SynTeir Engineering is performing a boundary survey to confirm railroad right of way and ownership along Whitman St. and the wall. Expect to have the survey completed if 3 to 4 weeks. - Geotech provided a scope of work for drilling 10 boring holes, 5 behind and 5 in front of the wall, testing, analyzing the borings, and drafting a report. Working with Geotech/Bridge Offices to schedule an onsite visit this summer. - Not in the PCC budget, but would need to be a legislative ask and the earliest money would be available July 1, 2027. - Coulee Hite Rd. Rail Crossing and Signal Safety Project - Bid opening was last Wednesday and the one bidder was 72% over the engineer’s estimate. Spokane County is working with WSDOT Local Programs for additional funding. - As of 5/12/26, additional funding has been provided and the county is the process to receive the obligated funds. They can proceed with awarding the contract. - Construction will accommodate the 2026 harvest season. - Colfax Noise Issue – WATCO Rail Yard - WATCO is working on a preliminary estimate to relocate the Colfax yard. Could be a good candidate for a FRAP grant. WATCO is not planning to put any funding towards relocation due to their investments with the heating generators. - Waiting for a locomotive to return to the yard to take additional decibal readings. - LaCrosse Bunkhouse Property Disposal (LaCrosse Community Pride) - Port of Whitman has signed the deed, WSDOT has recorded the deed with Whitman County, and the property is officially transferred to the Port. - Shawnee Bridge Fire Insurance Claim (9/10/26) - WSDOT Risk Management and Legal Council is in the process of negotiating a fair settlement. 2026 Rail Authority Meeting Schedule: - July 15, 2026 at Lincoln County Commisioners Chambers from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. - October 21, 2026 at McGregor’s Facility from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. ________________________________________________________________________________ Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29147569724185?p=BIWyV6VXm8YOLXE9Sf Meeting ID: 291 475 697 241 85 Passcode: Up99Qj27 Need help? | System reference Dial in by phone +1 206-531-0324,,334531677# United States, Seattle Find a local number Phone conference ID: 334 531 677# For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN ________________________________________________________________________________