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State of Washington and local transportation departments can access a new tool to prioritize and seek funding for rail and road and improvements in Tacoma's Tideflats area: a transportation study, Port of Tacoma officials said in a prepared statement.

The study recommends projects that need to be completed in the region — including the port, downtown Tacoma, city of Fife and several unincorporated areas — to meet transportation demand by 2030 and sustain transportation growth. The recommendations include extending a port rail line east to Taylor Way to eliminate train blockages at Milwaukee Way and E. 11th Street, constructing a grade separation at the intersection of a Union Pacific Railroad line and 54th Avenue E and improving several grade crossings.

The recommended projects and unfunded portion of supporting projects assumed to be built by 2030 total between $579 million and $679 million, according to the port. The study’s stakeholders, which are trying to develop a coordinated transportation plan, include the port, Washington State Department of Transportation, Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, cities of Fife and Tacoma, Pierce County and SSA Marine.

“The study’s unified voice should help the identified projects gain traction for future funding,” port officials said. “Projects that demonstrate broad benefit and support among multiple jurisdictions often rise higher on regional and federal priority lists.”