KALAMA, WASHINGTON, US — The TEMCO rail expansion project at the Port of Kalama, Washington, has received a $26.3 million grant from the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.
TEMCO, a joint venture between CHS Inc. and Cargill, leases and operates the facility from the port, exporting feed grains, oilseeds and wheat to Asia-Pacific markets.
The project will add over 25,000 linear feet of tracks to the Port of Kalama rail system, increasing TEMCO’s loading efficiency by up to 30% in the direct loading of grain from rail to ship, according to the port. The additional rail capacity will enable continuous ship loading without the need to reposition inbound railcars, which currently causes a seven-hour delay in the loading process.
“Port Commissioners and staff have worked for years to secure grant funds for this project, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez and their respective staff in capturing this important infrastructure investment for southwest Washington,” said Randy Sweet, president of the port commission. “We’d also like to acknowledge and thank the Soy Transportation Coalition and its many American farmers for their support and contribution to this project.”
In the Oct. 24 grant announcement, Cantwell noted the impact on grain shippers in the United States beyond the Pacific Northwest.
“The Port of Kalama is already one of the largest grain export terminals on the West Coast,” Cantwell said. “This funding will increase the port’s grain terminal efficiency by 25% to 30%, meaning that farmers not just from Washington, but as far east as Wisconsin, can get their products to market faster.”
