HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCNovember 22, 2022
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
GRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P O Box 37
EPHRATA WA 98823
(509) 754-2011
The Commissioners of Grant County would like to extend their support for the Washington State Department
of Transportation's (WSDOT) 2022 CRISI grant application for the Washington State Rural Rail
Rehabilitation, Phase II: Improving Supply Chain Efficiency and Resiliency. 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 in eastern Washington's rural communities.
This project will significantly improve 135 miles of the 298 -mile state-owned Palouse River and Coulee City
(PCC) Shortline Rail System in eastern Washington. State, local, and private funds will provide $39.2 million
and the application requests $72.8 million in federal funds, which equates to a total of $112 million for capital
improvements. This grant work builds upon our prior BUILD grant -funded improvements and when coupled
with other state capital contracts, it substantially rehabilitates the PCC Railway System, bringing it to a state of
good repair.
These investments in the rail system 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. By keeping rail shipments available and competitive, this project will reduce road
maintenance, enhance economic development, improve the environment, and bring long-term jobs to rural
communities.
We strongly support WSDOT's 2022 CRISI application and encourage USDOT to give this application
favorable consideration.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Danny .Stone, Chair Rob J6��e-Chair Cindy Cart r, Member
:bl
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 ENTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING
A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."