Port of Everett breaks ground on new rail line

The construction of a new rail line to serve the Pacific Northwest seaport, scheduled for completion in November, will increase its current on-terminal rail footprint from 9,200 lineal feet to 12,500 lineal feet, the port authority said in a statement.    The Port of Everett in Washington state has begun construction on new rail line, the port authority said in a statement.
   The Everett Port Commission in February awarded a $3.4 million contract to contractor Granite Construction for the completion of the second phase of a project enhancing the Pacific Northwest seaport’s terminal rail facilities in an effort to improve regional rail freight mobility and increase capacity.
   The project, scheduled for completion in November, will increase the port’s current on-terminal rail footprint from 9,200 lineal feet to 12,500 lineal feet.
   The new line will allow BNSF Railway easier ingress and egress to Everett’s terminal facilities, reducing congestion on the mainline from Seattle to Canada and east along the northern corridor, the port said.
   According to the Port of Everett, “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.”