Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF 2018 Capex in WA

http://www.rtands.com/index.php/freight/class-1/bnsf-plans-160m-washington-state-capital-program.html?channel=275

"This year, the maintenance program in Washington includes approximately 490 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work as well as the replacement of about 40 miles of rail and close to 230,000 ties. Along the Fallbridge Subdivision, BNSF plans to install new double-track between Washougal and Mt. Pleasant. The company will also begin to install new double-track along the Spokane Subdivision between Hauser, Idaho and Spokane. Two bridge replacement projects are also slated to begin this year in Home Valley and North Bonneville. The construction of a new unloading track and additional parking capacity at the Orillia Automotive Facility is also planned for 2018."

Washougal to Mt Pleasant is straight forward, but those people living at the west end of Mt Pleasant are going to be a bit pissed when trains start blocking their driveways as the driveways will be about 6500' from the east end of double track unless the east switch is moved further east.

Spokane to Hauser double tracking is more interesting as the only single track section is Otis Orchards to Irvin. I haven't heard that BNSF has started a permitting process for a new bridge over the Spokane River (The Spokane eco-nuts are going to hit the roof), so this likely means that the end of double track at Otis Orchards will be moved west to Trentwood just before the Spokane River bridge. This will work as there is a two mile distance between Evergreen and Flora Rds to park trains. The industry tracks at Sullivan rd will need to be rearranged as there is only enough room for two tracks under the Sullivan Rd overpass.

Also wonder if there might be a revision at Parkwater to get rid of the odd lap siding arrangement that makes it sometimes difficult to use both mains there?

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR