HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCGRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOAR® OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P O BOX 37
EPHRATA WA 98823
(509) 754-2011
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg
Secretary
U S . Department of Transportation
PI
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
The Commissioners of Grant County would like to extend their support for the Washington State
Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) 2021 CRISI grant application for the Washington State Rural
Freight Rail Rehabilitation. Monies requested would be used to rehabilitate portions of the Palouse
.River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System which is critical to economic growth and improving vitality to
eastern Washington's rural communities.
This project will improve strategically significant sections of the 298 -mile state-owned Palouse River and
Coulee City (PCC) Shortline Rail System in eastern Washington. The $5.625 million request will fund
60% of the total budget for the proposed capital improvements.
These investments in the rail system are needed to improve reliability, increasespeeds, and improve
o
ve
safety on the line. The improvements will help ensure rural eastern Washington agricultural products
remain competitive in the global marketplace. Rehabilitation of this freight corridor is important to
maintain the region's economic viability.B keeping p
y p grail shipments available and competitive, this
project will reduce road maintenance, enhance economic development, improve the environment, nt, and
bring long-term jobs to rural communities.
We strongly support the 2021 CRISI application for the Washington State Rural Freight Rail
Rehabilitation to assist our region in strengthening g
g gt ening its long-term competitiveness and encourage USDOT
to give this application favorable consideration.
Sincerely,
B OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Cindy Carte , air Danny .Stone R 'bc�J es
:bl
Cc: Paul Katovich
HighLine Grain Growers, Inc.
Danny E. Stone
District 1
Rob Jones
District 2
Cindy Carter
District 3
"To MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS? SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES9 WHILE FOSTERING
A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."