Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Port of Vancouver has begun a long-term project that’s expected to bring new jobs to Clark County. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The Port has agreed to buy 17 acres of right-of-way from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

The agreement is the first step of a major $130 million dollar project that will take the next nine years to finish.

Eventually, the project will mean that the Port of Vancouver can service the extra long trains that currently have to go to the Port of Portland.

Port of Vancouver spokesman, Nelson Holmberg, called it a significant agreement.

Nelson Holmberg: “And it’s significant because of a number of reasons, one it brings the BNSR and Port of Vancouver as marketing partners for cargo coming into and out of the Port of Vancouver, bringing new customers and new jobs ultimately to the Vancouver/Clark County Community.”

The federal government and Washington State are helping with the project, but most of the money comes from the port’s capital projects budget between now and 2017.