FAST Corridor Freight Action Strategy for Everett-Seattle-Tacoma Steve Sewell Parsons Brinckerhoff

What is it? A $500 million investment A $500 million investment A series of improvements separating vehicular and rail traffic A series of improvements separating vehicular and rail traffic A success! A success!

What Does it Do? Moves the Nation’s freight through a major trade corridor Moves the Nation’s freight through a major trade corridor Fixes freight and general traffic bottlenecks Fixes freight and general traffic bottlenecks Increases the competitiveness of Puget Sound Ports Increases the competitiveness of Puget Sound Ports Creates and maintains jobs and economic health Creates and maintains jobs and economic health

What Does it Do? Increases train speed, which increases capacity Increases train speed, which increases capacity Reduces traffic congestion at at grade rail crossings Reduces traffic congestion at at grade rail crossings

What Does it Do? Before After

The Situation Ports of Seattle and Tacoma losing container market share to Southern California and Vancouver, B.C. Ports of Seattle and Tacoma losing container market share to Southern California and Vancouver, B.C. “Freight Mobility” one of many factors “Freight Mobility” one of many factors Threat to regional competitiveness Threat to regional competitiveness Container cargo a little known lifeline: “Freight doesn’t vote” Container cargo a little known lifeline: “Freight doesn’t vote”

What did we do? Three part strategy: Educate Educate Collaborate Collaborate Legislate Legislate

Educate Importance of ports and cargo to the region’s economy Importance of ports and cargo to the region’s economy Importance to the national economy Importance to the national economy The risk of doing nothing The risk of doing nothing

Importance to Washington State One of three jobs relies on international trade One of three jobs relies on international trade One-third of state’s agricultural products; e.g., hay, cherries, apples, are exported One-third of state’s agricultural products; e.g., hay, cherries, apples, are exported You get a “twofer”- improved traffic flows You get a “twofer”- improved traffic flows –Improve safety –Eliminate bottlenecks, streamline traffic –Mitigate impact of freight and traffic growth

Importance to the Nation Second…no third…largest container load center in the U.S. Second…no third…largest container load center in the U.S. Asian imports are more than 90%--Asia to comprise 45% of world trade by 2015 Asian imports are more than 90%--Asia to comprise 45% of world trade by 2015 More than 70% of imports through the Puget Sound destined for Chicago and beyond More than 70% of imports through the Puget Sound destined for Chicago and beyond Jobs across the nation rely on these imports Jobs across the nation rely on these imports

Collaborate=the KEY Build Consensus on project priorities Build Consensus on project priorities Truly a partnership—i.e, all take part in risk and reward Truly a partnership—i.e, all take part in risk and reward Partners include the State, the three ports, the Federal Government, local municipalities, and two railroads (BNSF and UP) Partners include the State, the three ports, the Federal Government, local municipalities, and two railroads (BNSF and UP) A lot of work…saved a lot at the next step A lot of work…saved a lot at the next step

Collaborate Freight Mobility Roundtable Freight Mobility Roundtable –Public/Private Group sponsored by the local MPO –Participants include: Shippers, ocean rail and road carriers, logistics providers, ports, EDC’s, local, state and Federal government…even consultants. –An important forum

Legislate: The State We scared ‘em We scared ‘em –Alameda Corridor –Job impact –State competitiveness We made it easy on ‘em We made it easy on ‘em –Benefits for the whole state –Consensus made this the state’s No.1 priority for Federal funding Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board

Legislate: The Other Washington Again, no regional disputes Again, no regional disputes Our delegation “got it” Our delegation “got it” Bud Shuster and “The Port of Chicago” Bud Shuster and “The Port of Chicago” The “Borders and Corridors” program The “Borders and Corridors” program

The Result A $500 million corridor, through which trade can flow and traffic move A $500 million corridor, through which trade can flow and traffic move

The Result Costs shared by partners Costs shared by partners Original Plan: Original Plan: State:50% State:50% Feds:25% Feds:25% Ports:10% Ports:10% Local:10% Local:10% RR’s:5% RR’s:5% Negotiated adjustments based on changes Negotiated adjustments based on changes

The Result Ten of 15 projects complete or nearly complete Ten of 15 projects complete or nearly complete Complete Complete Under Construction Under Construction Remainder completed by ’06 Remainder completed by ’06

What’s Next? FAST Phase II FAST Phase II –Consensus –Ten more projects –>$260 million –Jobs and Opportunities!!

Thank You