Railroad projects

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad has remained under public ownership by Clark County since 1987. The railroad is currently operated by the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR) and serves several existing customers in the greater Vancouver Portland metro area. The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad bridges repair has a long history that dates back to the late 19th century. Click here to learn more about the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad’s history.

Portions of the railroad need critical repairs that will increase the longevity of the railroad’s infrastructure. The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad bridges repair project will focus on addressing deficiencies of six timber bridges along the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. The roadbed rehabilitation project will improve safety and load capacity for portions of the 19 miles of railroad track and its base extending from Battle Ground to Chelatchie Prairie.

Railroad

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About the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Bridges Repair project  

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This project aims to address deficiencies of six timber bridges along the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. The six bridges are bridge 6 (Curtin Creek), bridge 12 (Salmon Creek), bridge 18 (unnamed creek) near Northeast 259th Street, bridge 20 (Basket Creek), bridge 23 (East Fork Lewis River), and bridge 25 (Yacolt Creek).

Improvements will focus on replacement of damaged, decaying or missing timber elements including piles, posts, stringers, braces and ties. The project will also replace deficient abutment walls, sloughing approach ballast and missing or loose bolts and other connection hardware. 

Several of the bridges are closed to rail traffic due to their condition. 

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Click here to view the project location. 

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This project, combined with the railroad roadbed rehabilitation work between the bridges, are part of a larger effort to maintain and repair the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad north of Battle Ground in Clark County.

About the Roadbed Rehabilitation project  

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This project will improve safety and load capacity for portions of the 19 miles of railroad track and its base extending from Battle Ground to Chelatchie Prairie. The project will replace deteriorated cross ties, ballast and undercutting along with final surfacing.

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Click here to view the project location.

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This project, combined with the bridge repair work, is part of an effort to maintain and repair the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad north of Battle Ground in Clark County.

Project timeline  

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Bridges Repair 

Design: winter 2024
Construction: summer 2024

Roadbed Rehabilitation

Design: fall 2024
Construction: fall 2024/winter 2025

Funding  

Both projects are funded through grants received from the Washington State Department of Transportation, Rail, Freight and Ports Division.  The grant total for both projects is $3,226,476. 

Mailers

February 2024 (PDF)

Comments or Questions

Scott Fakler, project manager
Clark County Public Works 
564.397.4648
scott.fakler@clark.wa.gov

Kevin Tyler, Lands manager
Clark County Public Works 
564.397.1656
kevin.tyler@clark.wa.gov