BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Port of Bellingham is looking to reestablish a rail connection to its shipping terminal on the downtown waterfront.

Port Executive Director Rob Fix explained the need for the project in a presentation to the Bellingham City Council in a meeting on May 6.

The shipping terminal had a rail connection to the BNSF Mainline in the past, but it was removed by BNSF after Georgia-Pacific shut down its plant on the waterfront in 2001. That property is now where Kulshan Trackside and the pump track is located.

Now, Fix says the Port already has an agreement with BNSF to hook back up to their existing track. They’re just waiting on federal grants to fund the $15 million rail connection.

Fix emphasized that the new rail would not cross any existing city streets or affect traffic in any way. The proposed rail connection comes as the Port is in the midst of their nearly $28 million project to modernize the Bellingham Shipping Terminal.

The project is expected to finish in 2025 and will strengthen the main dock to allow for heavy cargo and equipment among other benefits.