HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIS 2021-03-22 Item 2B - Discussion - BNSF Intermodal Access StudyCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
Pttb r Works Department - Bort Ponnekanti, Director/City Engineer
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee
FROM: Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director/City Engineer
BY: Adam Cox, Transportation Program Manager
& Brittany Robinson, Grant Analyst
CC: Mayor Allan Ekberg
DATE: March 19, 2021
SUBJECT: BNSF Intermodal Facility Access Study
Project No. 99510409
Project Overview
ISSUE
Information regarding the BNSF Intermodal Facility Access Study.
BACKGROUND
BNSF owns an intermodal facility that transports containers from trucks to railroad and vice versa. This
facility is located within Tukwila city limits in the Allentown community. The intermodal facility is adjacent
to 1-5 and southeast of King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field. BNSF calls this
facility the South Seattle Intermodal Facility. In 2015, the City of Tukwila and BNSF jointly funded an
access study to determine a potential new route for truck traffic into the intermodal yard. David Evans and
Associates (DEA) began the study in March 2015. As part of the study, open houses were held, and
community input was collected. Initially, ten alternatives were explored and were narrowed down to five
options. These were the five alternatives that were studied:
1. Airport Way S;
2. Gateway Drive - north leg;
3. South 112th Street;
4. 48th Ave S Bridge;
5. The current route on South 124th Street.
The study outlined approximate costs, and pros and cons to each alternative. The study remains in draft
form.
ANALYSIS
The findings from the draft study were provided to the City Council in December 2016. However, the BNSF
Intermodal Facility Access Study was never finalized due to new information regarding the degradation of
the 42nd Ave S Bridge in 2017, which became a top priority for the City. The BNSF Intermodal Facility
Access Study is on hold at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impacts currently.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only.
Attachment Links: Draft BNSF Intermodal Facility Access Study
March 19, 2019 TISC Update for BNSF Intermodal Facility Access Study: Schedule and Next Steps
https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/publicworks/engineering/PW Drop Box/01 TIC Agenda/2021 Agenda Items/TIC 03-22-21/2. BNSF Access Study/Info Memo_BNSF Access Study .docx
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