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Rail Improvements Vital to Trade Growth
and Community Prosperity

Throughout history, successful communities have grown up around ports. The Port of Vancouver USA, and its counterparts along the Columbia River, are critical to revitalizing communities that have struggled financially in recent years.

Business at West Coast ports has grown tremendously over the past decades due to the explosion of trade with Asian markets and the shift to a global economy. Washington is one of the most trade-dependent states in the U.S. with 1 out of 3 jobs related to trade. But while ports are eager to welcome new ships to their docks, many face a challenge in their ability to move that cargo to and from inland locations.

Record Growth Continues
The Port of Vancouver saw a 25% increase in tonnage in 2004 and our 2005 figures to date are poised to surpass even that record. Congestion at Southern California ports this past year resulted in significant delays for ships waiting to unload. Seattle-Tacoma docks have also reported record growth figures. The future promises more of the same, with container cargo projected to triple by 2021 and grain exports expected to double by 2025.

The Columbia-Snake river system forms the second largest export gateway for trade on the West Coast as the channel for 40% of all U.S. wheat exports and numerous other commodities. It is the closest option for many Pacific Rim trading partners and one of the few areas with waterfront property available for expansion.

All of these factors place the Port of Vancouver and our sister river ports in an excellent position to take advantage of new trade opportunities that can create badly-needed jobs for our region.

Rail Freight A Priority
Securing this economic growth requires good rail and road access to transport marine cargo. Rail freight passing through Vancouver's BNSF yard is projected to grow 60% by 2025, and passenger trains using the same lines are expected to increase from 10 to 28 per day. In order to accommodate trade growth, we must improve and expand existing rail corridors locally and throughout our region.

In Vancouver, the north-south and east-west rail lines intersect with the Port's single track connection, causing congestion at peak use times which already equals that of a much larger Chicago system. According to a rail use study commissioned by the Port, a daily average of 27 delays, each longer than 30 minutes, was recorded for trains traveling through the Vancouver rail network. Nearly half (45%) of the delays involved Port trains.

Construction of a proposed East Bypass around the existing Vancouver rail yard in the next biennium is critical to build capacity for future growth but will not solve the entire congestion problem. An additional access from Port facilities to BNSF main lines is also essential.

A new south rail access connecting east of the proposed bypass could reduce delays as much as 55% and would also improve the flow of trains through the Vancouver terminal area, according to the rail study. Combined with a reconfiguration of trackage at the Port, this alignment would accommodate projected increases in rail traffic from trade growth for the next 20 years and the development of nearly 600 acres at Columbia Gateway and other port property. This development has the potential to bring thousands of jobs and increased business revenues to our community.

We Must Work Together
Columbia River ports must work together with our public and private industry partners to find the funding and support for rail improvements. Otherwise, shippers will begin to look elsewhere, most likely Mexico and Canada, for trade routes with expedient rail access.

Columbia River ports can point proudly to the track record we have established for working together to attain common goals. More than a decade of persistent efforts by ports and their community partners resulted in a project now underway to dredge a deeper, more profitable and efficient navigation channel. The ports of Vancouver and Portland continue to work closely on the Columbia River Crossing/I-5 bridge and system-wide rail improvements.

With sufficient river, rail and road access, we can optimize the economic benefit of trade growth and new marine and industrial developments creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the Port and our community to improve the quality of life today and into the future. Imagine the possibilities!