stop-sign-solar_webThe port’s West Vancouver Freight Access Grain Subdivision project is now complete, thanks in large part to the funds provided through the TIGER II program administered by the FHWA through WSDOT. This project improves the flow of grain exports by reconfiguring and adding rail track near the grain terminal.

Colf Construction of Vancouver, Wash. finished the project on October 4, allowing port tenant United Grain Corporation to pull longer blocks of railcars through the unloading pit. The new infrastructure also allows for improved worker safety by reducing the number of switches or movements, by increasing the length of the rail car sections that are processed. These sections of cars have to be broken up and shifted from one track to another in order to unload 110-car Unit Trains of grain. Additionally, automatic switches have been installed as a safety improvement to reduce risk to those working on the terminal.

These improvements allow more grain to come in and out of Clark County, bringing with them, the potential for new jobs in a safer environment while delivering economic benefit to our region. The project began construction in mid-March of this year, and in addition to the rail expansion, a 100,000 gallon water tank was installed to supplement the port’s current water system.