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Oregon and Washington state transportation leaders have signed an agreement that will support their collaborative efforts to improve the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor.

Signed by Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Matt Garrett and Washington State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond, the agreement includes the approval of a phased "Corridor Work Plan," ODOT and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials said in a joint statement.

The executive-level endorsement allows staff to proceed with meeting requirements for advancing passenger-rail planning and improvements, they said.

The Corridor Work Plan is a five-year strategy for route improvements. The plan's immediate focus is on developing the agreements necessary to implement elements of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, ODOT and WSDOT officials said.