Washington State DOT picks Omaha Track to operate short-line branch, announces $5.7 BUILD grant

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has selected Omaha Track Inc. to operate part of the state-owned Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) rail system.

WSDOT selected Omaha Track through a competitive evaluation process following a request for proposals to operate the railroad's P&L branch. After an agreement is signed this summer, the Omaha-based contractor will operate the branch line that runs between the Idaho state line near Pullman and Marshall, just south of Spokane, WSDOT officials said in a press release.

The longest short line in the state, the PCC serves five counties: Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams and Whitman. The P&L branch is one of three in the PCC rail system.

Meanwhile, Washington State Transportation Secretary Roger Millar announced a federal $5.7 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant will help fund improvements to the PCC. The BUILD grant will combine with $5.3 million in state Connecting Washington funds and $335,000 local contributions to provide $11.3 million to pay for upgrades to all three PCC branches.

The upgrades will include replacing or rehabilitating 10 bridges, rehabilitating 28 miles of track and replacing 1 mile of rail.

The improvements will help keep the PCC system updated and competitive for agricultural freight shipments, WSDOT officials said.