Rail Intermodal Facility Projects
Demand for Eastern Washington goods is growing, but truck driver shortages, rising fuel costs and limitations on driver hours are making truck transport less available and efficient.
To give our growing eastern Washington companies additional capacity to get their goods to market, the Port, in partnership with the City of Richland, is planning to develop an intermodal facility (also known as an inland port) around an existing rail loop on undeveloped industrial land in north Richland.
The Port is following its Comprehensive Plan (Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements), the Port of Benton and City of Richland Rail Master Plan, the City of Richland/Port of Benton North Horn Rapids Area Master Plan, and the Port of Benton Transportation Improvement Program to plan and develop the intermodal facility.
We Hope You Were Able to Join Us!
Rail Modernization & Intermodal Facility Information Night
July 8 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Richland Public Library | Doris Roberts Gallery
955 Northgate Drive, Richland
Current Projects
Rail Intermodal Facility
The rail intermodal facility project will include constructing a second rail loop track, commodity storage buildings and handling equipment, and leverage the Port’s warehouse building at 2579 Stevens Drive in Richland.
The facility will support our area’s growing agriculture and other major industries and further increase private-sector investment and job creation.
The proposed north Richland location is on Port of Benton and City of Richland rail-served industrial areas in north Richland with nearby access to rail facilities, interstates, state routes and a barge complex.
The Port and City are working on a jointly recommended one-to-one land transfer between the entities. This exchange will provide the Port with the land around the existing rail loop to create an intermodal facility and give the City of Richland land for future private investment by supporting businesses or industries that rely on services the intermodal facility would deliver and workforce housing options.
Projected Schedule
We’re currently working on infrastructure planning and anticipate construction to begin in 2025 or 2026.
Project Funding
The Port is applying for federal and state grant funding for planning and infrastructure investments.
Additionally, the Central Washington Corn Processors have invested $6 million to initiate the project.
Project Updates
Communications & Outreach
The Port is engaging with the public, partners and other stakeholders to gather input on plans for an intermodal facility north of Richland.
As we plan public information sessions, we will announce those in multiple ways. However, our primary communication tool is our email list. Please be sure to sign up to receive our eNews in your inbox for the latest updates and announcements.
2024
Minutes & Recordings of Public Port Commission Meetings
Meeting Archive Center
Public Meeting Slide Deck
July 8, 2024
Richland Public Library
Port Planning Intermodal Facility & Rail Improvements
Newsletter Article - 2024 - Coming Soon!
Inter-Tribal Advisory Board Update
April 25, 2024
Leadership Tri-Cities Economic Development Day Presentation
March 20, 2024 Three Rivers Convention Center
State of the Ports 2024 Presentation
March 12, 2024
Pasco Red Lion
2023
Washington Public Ports Association
December 7, 2023
Rail Crossings Upgrades & Track Maintenance Planned
Newsletter Article - Fall 2023
2024 Rail Crossings Projects Letter
July 10, 2023
Port of Benton Railroad
Newsletter Article - Summer 2023
Port Earns Community Engagement Award
May 23, 2023 Press Release
2022
Rail Caucus Tour
September 29, 2022
Rail Caucus Legislators Tour Tri-Cities Rail Network
Newsletter Article - Fall 2022
Port Construction Projects Updates - Rail
Newsletter Article - Fall 2022
Plans, Cultural & Historical Reviews
Rail Master Plan
Port of Benton – City or Richland
North Horn Rapids Area Master Plan
City of Richland - Port of Benton
Resources
FAQs
An intermodal facility, sometimes referred to as an inland port, is a facility that transfers freight from one mode of transportation to another. For example, the facility planned for north Richland will take goods from local agriculture and other industries that arrive by truck and transfer them to rail or the Port’s nearby barge complex on the Columbia River.
Intermodal facilities are critical hubs for transferring goods across various modes of transportation, ensuring timely delivery.
By utilizing intermodal containers, shipments can smoothly transition between trucks, trains and cargo ships. This integration increases business efficiency and helps reduce carbon emissions within transportation supply chains.
The U.S. and overseas demand for our local industries’ goods is increasing, and they need expanded shipping options to get those agricultural and other goods to market.
One freight train can haul a load that would otherwise require over 300 trucks, helping ease challenges with truck transportation due to rising fuel costs and limitations on driver hours.
Rail connects with trucks and barges to seamlessly move goods to markets and seaports nationwide, supporting trade for growing Tri-Cities industries.
Rail is an environmentally responsible way to ship freight. Railroads are three to four times more fuel-efficient than trucks, and freight moved by rail reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 75%.
Plus, rail can carry more tonnage per trip. One freight train can haul a load that would otherwise require over 300 trucks.
Port of Benton’s rail line transports goods equivalent to 47,000 long-haul trucks, representing 1.3 million tons of product annually.
Past State and Federal Grant Requests
| Grant Program | Date | Amount | Scope | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program Grant Statement of Work Cost Estimate Letters of Support | FY 2022 | $8 million | The CRISI grant would have funded replacing the at-grade crossing panels and signal equipment at five crossings (Battelle Blvd., State Route 240, Saint Street, Airport Way and Jadwin Signal), repairing ties and rail through three at-grade crossings, correcting and repairing track bonding, repairing the asphalt approaches. | Not Selected |
Rail History
In 1998, the Port finalized a Hanford land transfer of the 1100 Area. This transfer of land and assets from the U.S. Department of Energy to the Port included the central stores warehouse, railroad facilities and a short line rail.
The initial name for this site was Horn Rapids Industrial Park and the Horn Rapids Rail Center. This name was later changed to the Port of Benton Manufacturing Mall.
After the federal land transfers, the Port added 831 acres to its portfolio and is now one of the largest landholding ports in the state.
To read more about Port of Benton’s rail assets and history, visit our Rail and History web pages.
