FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORTLAND,
ORE. (June 22, 2009) - Partnership Puts Rivergate on Track for the Future
In the
heart of Rivergate Industrial District, Congressman Earl Blumenauer joined port
and rail leaders this morning for groundbreaking on a $14 million rail project that
will benefit users of the regional rail system including businesses and future
development in the area.
Years
in the making, the new Ramsey Rail Yard will increase freight rail capacity and
help to decrease rail system congestion. Currently, only one track connects
north and south Rivergate, creating a bottleneck for the two Class 1 rail
carriers serving Portland. Adding a second main lead and three storage tracks will
allow one track to remain open for rail travel while adding the capability to
store long unit trains.
Evolving
in scope over the past few years, the project was made possible by a
collaborative public-private effort. “If you chose one word to describe what
brought us here today it would be partnership,” said Bill Wyatt, executive
director for the Port of Portland. This was reflected in the mix of project
funding, including federal appropriation, a state ConnectOregon grant and loan
from the state, and financial support from the Port and the railroads.
Alongside
Blumenauer and Wyatt at the podium were Kelly Taylor, Rail Division
Administrator with the Oregon Department of Transportation; Rollin Bredenberg,
Vice President, Service Design and Performance for BNSF Railway; and Scott
Moore, Vice President of Public Affairs for Union Pacific. Each underscored the
importance of investing in transportation infrastructure for future freight
mobility, job generation and economic vitality.
Scheduled
for completion in late summer of 2010, the project is expected to create and retain
over 200 jobs—including both construction related and non-construction related
positions. It is one of nearly $500 million in capital projects that the Port
is currently engaged with, and one of several major road and rail improvements
the Port has announced for Rivergate Industrial District.
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