Ephrata officials authorize application for freight grant to design railroad overpass

Ephrata officials voted to authorize staff to apply for a Freight Mobility grant (resolution R26-015) to fund preliminary engineering for a railroad overpass and an arterial road through the port area, officials said during a short public meeting.

Sean, the staff presenter, told the body the application must be filed soon and that the grant would support design work — not construction — to define the route and engineering for an overpass over the railroad tracks. “The match is 13 and a half percent,” Sean said, and the design-phase work is expected to total “about $350,000 per project,” with the port’s share described as roughly $47,000.

The presenter said completing a design would improve the city’s chances of securing later construction funds. “By having a design would make pursuing construction funds we’ll be [sic] for better odds,” he said, explaining the preliminary engineering would let staff pursue construction funding with stronger applications.

Members asked several practical questions. One member expressed concern about committing street-fund dollars as far out as 2027; another asked whether the application was for a feasibility study or for preliminary engineering — Sean replied it was for preliminary engineering and that consultant work would be used for the overpass design. Sean also noted there are multiple property owners along potential routes and that the design phase would help resolve routing and property negotiations.

A committee member raised a funding-source concern about the transit presentation discussed earlier, saying, “It sounded to me like it was leftover ARPA money, and they just had to spend it or lose it,” a comment that framed some members’ questions about allowable uses and timing for other transportation funds.

The chair moved the body to a vote; a committee member moved to approve R26-015 and the chair seconded. Members responded “Aye” and the chair declared the resolution passed; the transcript records affirmative voice votes but does not list a roll-call tally by name.

Officials said the grant application deadline is imminent; if the award is made the jurisdiction would be required to provide the 13.5% match in 2027. The meeting adjourned shortly afterward.