Rainier and CN Railroad negotiate access, nominal lease and public outreach ahead of two-year rail project

Mayor Wagner called a special meeting with CN Railroad representatives on the request from Kramer North America for a temporary in-water access point to stage a heavy crane and barges.

The contractor asked for installation of pilings and rock to establish roughly six feet of water depth to support a large crane and a 60-foot barge, and the city discussed vacating the end of Shell Road Avenue and formalizing use of the alleyway between the tracks and the restaurant to avoid hauling rock through residential streets. "We have a formal request from your contractor, Kramer North America, and he wanted to get an access point for his heavy crane between our two docks," Mayor Wagner said during the meeting.

Kevin Downey, identified in the meeting as CN’s representative, said the company is coordinating permits with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and expects the hydraulic modeling and permit approvals to be completed soon. "We're hoping to have that here finalized soon with our permits and approvals in place by July, and then construction would then start shortly after that," Downey said. He estimated in-water work would begin late summer or early fall and that construction would take about two years once started.

City officials emphasized concerns about hydraulics and debris left in the riverbed from earlier works, and asked whether cleaning or mitigation would be required. Downey said the Coast Guard required the hydraulic study and that results are expected in the coming weeks; he also said his team does not expect another formal public comment period after the study is complete.

Residents and council members raised community impacts tied to staging and truck traffic, including potential damage to a recently grant-funded public boat launch. "We have a boat launch down there that's already been damaged once," a council member said, urging careful planning to avoid additional harm to the city's recreational access and shoreline.

On land access and ownership, Mayor Wagner suggested CN might dedicate or donate a small parcel (referred to in the meeting as the Sharon Ball property) to the city after construction in exchange for construction access. Downey said CN is not in a position to donate the land but offered a long-term lease for a nominal fee. "We are interested in doing a long term lease for a very minimal amount for that piece of property — we'll say a dollar a year, dollars 2 a year," Downey said.

Officials also raised operational concerns, including persistent wheel/track squeal and noise, and asked whether greasers or other track maintenance could reduce the sound. Downey said he would ask CN’s track crew to investigate the alignment and maintenance suggestions.

The meeting covered coordination with the planned depot and customs facilities built for federal agencies. Downey said CN is building a new depot intended for customs use but noted its schedule is tied to the General Services Administration and to separate agency timelines. City leaders requested contact information for the GSA point of contact to better coordinate schedules.

Other items discussed included an update on a previously approved tree-settlement payment (Downey said the EFT should hit the city account within 30–45 days) and a proposal to evaluate whether the existing historic depot building could be moved and repurposed.

Next steps: CN will provide a tentative lease and share contact information for coordination; the company and contractor plan to hold a public open house in town with exhibits and maps before in-water work begins; the city will send a formal letter summarizing its requests and asked that the draft lease be returned as soon as possible. Both sides said they want to keep communications open and move quickly given rising construction costs.

The meeting closed with an agreement to keep residents informed as hydraulic-study results and permit decisions become available.