Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 New tracks to allow trains to skip Stanwood Construction of new siding tracks will allow freight trains to bypass the Amtrak platform. By Scott Pesznecker, Herald Writer STANWOOD -- Construction is under way on new siding tracks through Stanwood that will allow trains to move past the city's new Amtrak platform. Freight and passenger trains heading through Stanwood are sometimes delayed for more than an hour because of the poor condition of the siding tracks there, according to the Washington state Department of Transportation. The siding track, which runs parallel to the main railroad line, is what trains use to pass each other. The Legislature has approved $15 million for extending the siding track through Stanwood. The existing siding track was recently refurbished, said Lynnette Gregory, project manager for the state Department of Transportation's rail and marine office. "We're starting to design and plan out the extension at this point," Gregory said. Construction of the new siding track is expected to be finished by summer 2009. No environmental issues are expected to result from the project, according to the Transportation Department. The new platform, which is also under construction, will permit Stanwood stops for the Amtrak Cascades service between Vancouver, B.C., and Eugene, Ore. Currently, people in Stanwood have to drive to Everett or Mount Vernon to board trains. "We needed to have the current siding refurbished," Gregory said. "With the station being added, we have to allow for passing." Amtrak is building the concrete platform on the west side of the railroad tracks just north of 271st Street NW. The $4.2 million state-funded platform is expected to be finished by June 2009. Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

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