Alicel, OR

Customer
Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad (INPR)

RailWorks Business Unit
RailWorks Track Systems

Description
RailWorks constructed a siding extension for the INPR and the Union County Economic Development Corp. The extended siding serves the Pendleton Grain Growers grain elevator in Alicel.

Scope
RailWorks served as the prime contractor to construct 2,600 feet of ballasted track. After coordinating the sub-grade work with a subcontractor, RailWorks constructed the track infrastructure, which included installing one turnout and one derail.

With the new spur line and additional grain storage silos, the rail carload capacity for the Pendleton Grain Growers operation increased from 300 annual carloads to 700 to 1000 carloads.

Unique features
The Union County Economic Development Corporation and the Oregon Department of Transportation funded the project. This new siding extension and silo expansion encourages greater grain movement via rail car rather than truck, which will reduce truck congestion on Highway 184 over the Blue Mountains.

INPR is a 210-mile short line railway owned by the Rio Grand Pacific Corporation. It provides freight service over four former UP branch lines in southwestern Idaho and northeastern Oregon.