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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bn Santa Fe To Present Case For Second Line In East Valley

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad will discuss its plan to add a second rail line through the eastern Spokane Valley with county officials and the public on March 16.

The hearing was ordered by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates railroad crossings, after Spokane County expressed concerns about traffic delays and safety.

The hearing will take place at Gonzaga University’s Conference and Convention Center, 800 N. Pearl.

BNSF will present its case from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Public comments will be heard from 7 to 9 p.m. If more time is needed, the hearing will continue the next day.

BNSF plans to build a second track, 11 miles long, from just west of Harvard Road to its Hauser, Idaho, switching station.

Three railroad crossings at Harvard, McKenzie and Idaho roads will have to be rebuilt as part of the $14 million project.

An average of 2,100 cars a day cross the tracks at Harvard Road. Only 900 and 870 cars a day, respectively, cross the tracks at Idaho and McKenzie roads.

BNSF officials said they need the second track to handle more train traffic passing through the Valley, said Mike Rowswell, rail carrier compliance specialist with the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Currently there is only one track between BNSF’s Parkwater facility in the Valley and its Hauser switching yard.

BNSF would like to begin building the track in April. Before the project proceeds, however, it must get approval from the WUTC.

An administrative law judge will oversee the hearings and make an initial order. WUTC members will have final say on the project.

, DataTimes