As part of a Washington State Department of Transportation project (WSDOT), the first trains are now safely operating over the new third main rail line at Longview. Prior to completion, freight rail traffic arriving and departing from the Ports of Kalama and Longview frequently blocked one main line track for extended periods of time limiting operations to a single track. The improvements expand capacity for both passenger and freight trains.

The project includes:

  • Construction of approximately 3.7 miles of a third main line track, new turnouts, crossovers, and the removal of other existing turnouts
  • Construction of a new single-track bridge over the Coweeman River, and installation of a maintenance walkway on the existing Coweeman River Bridge
  • Construction of a new rail bridge over a private road
  • Construction of a retaining wall and other utility, grading and embankment improvements