Rail Maintenance Cost Study
Port of Benton commissioned a 2024 study of its rail network to evaluate annual maintenance costs required to maintain the track to Federal Railroad Administration Class 2 standards.
The Port’s 16-mile short line rail spans between Richland Junction (milepost 18.84) and Horn Rapids Road (milepost 29.73) in Richland, Washington. The Port acquired the rail line from the U.S. Department of Energy in 1998.
Due to years of neglect by the former operator and the absence of a preventative maintenance program, the existing railroad infrastructure is “near” incapable of supporting any efficient and productive increased growth without significant capital repairs.
Study
The assessment included site visits, a review of planned rail capital improvement projects, funding sources and other evaluations. The consultant team also held preliminary discussions with current rail customers to determine their shipping needs and Class 1 railroads BNSF Railway and Union Pacific to determine their needs and requirements for any railcar or tonnage charges.
Costing Model
To support long-term maintenance costs, the Port is currently in conversations with the Class 1 railroads and rail customers about a proposed daily fee of $100 per railcar spread across an average of 21.6 railcars.
The maintenance work this fee would fund will enhance safety and allow train speeds to increase from 5 to 10 mph.
The operating efficiency gains rail users achieve with increased train speed along the Port rail network will offset more than half of the new fee.
Projected Schedule
The Port anticipates it could potentially implement the new car charge beginning in 2025.
Project Updates
Plans & Study
Visit our main Rail web page for additional rail-related plans and reports.
Rail Master Plan
Port of Benton – City or Richland
North Horn Rapids Area Master Plan
City of Richland - Port of Benton
Port of Benton Rail Infrastructure
The Port of Benton’s current rail rail-assets ownership includes:
- The main industrial track running from Richland Junction (milepost 18.84) to Horn Rapids Road (milepost 29.73), ~ 11 miles
- The first 13.5 feet of industry lead track (clearance point) servicing Lamb Weston and Lineage Refrigerated Warehouse (milepost 26.45)
- North Richland Railyard tracks (milepost 27.54 to milepost 28.52)
- Southern leg of the wye (starting at milepost 28.54 running to City of Richland track)
- North leg of the wye (running from City of Richland track to milepost 28.89)
- 5 miles of sidings and ladder track
Additional Infrastructure and assets:
- Four bridges
- 10 Port-owned at-grade crossings (ultimately 11 with Horn Rapids Road completion)
- Approximately 48,000 crossties
- Two locomotives
- Three flat cars
- Two ballast cars
- Six rail maintenance cars
