Council backs preferred layout for US‑12 rail‑separation overpass, authorizes property offers
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Summary
After a multi‑year alternatives analysis, the council approved the alternate gate configuration (the 'Alternative 8' layout) as final design and authorized property acquisition steps and related engineering supplements to advance the US‑12 Highway rail‑separation flyover toward a 2026 construction readiness target.
Nick Berg, the project manager for the US‑12 Highway rail separation project, presented the team’s updated preferred design and asked the council to confirm the basis of design so the project can advance to construction readiness. Berg said the chosen layout meets an absolute 23‑foot clearance from top of rail to girder, limits ramp slopes to an 8% maximum and eliminates two rail crossings. “We are actually improving the rail safety component because we’re now eliminating 2 crossings,” Berg said, adding the design keeps net parking impacts under 10 stalls for affected commercial properties.
Berg and the project team emphasized constraints that shaped design choices: the WSDOT approval process (intersection control evaluation and plan for approval are complete), rail vertical‑clearance requirements, and on‑site constraints including truck turning templates and an existing transit stop. The Port of Grays Harbor confirmed volumes supporting design urgency, saying rail and truck activity is expected to grow substantially once port expansion is in operation.
Council voted to approve the alternate gate configuration as the final design, authorized the continuation of right‑of‑way offer packages, and approved a $34,259.32 supplemental agreement with RH2 Engineering to refine plan specifications and cost estimates. Public Works also moved and council approved authorizing the mayor to execute a governmental‑affairs agreement with GTH to assist state and federal liaison work tied to the project. The project team said, contingent on final design confirmation and remaining tasks, the team targets being construction‑ready in 2026.
Action items recorded at the meeting included approval to proceed with property offers already being issued to affected commercial property owners, finalization of plan specifications and environmental documentation consistent with a non‑federal funding path, and direction to continue right‑of‑way activities.