New produce express to East Coast

New produce express to East Coast

The special service for fresh produce is faster than conventional rail because the load stays intact between Walla Walla and the East Coast.

Bill Reinert -- March 15, 2006

This fall, Washington and Oregon growers will be able rush their fresh produce from Wallula, Washington, to East Coast markets in about five days via what the Port of Walla Walla says is the West Coast’s first express, dedicated produce rail service.The weekly service is being launched through an agreement between Union Pacific, Florida-based CSX Transportation, and Railex, LLC, a division of AMPCO Distribution Services, a national produce company. With help from the port, Railex is building a $20 million refrigerated produce distribution center in Wallula, southeast of the Tri-Cities. Port director Jim Kuntz said the port is raising about $7 million to cover infrastructure costs associated with the project. The state of Washington and the federal government are also helping to fund the venture, which is expected to give the region’s growers an economic boost.

The Washington Legislature in March passed two funding bills to help boost the project. Lawmakers approved $2.5 million in state transportation funds for the port to construct a loop rail line to access Railex’s distribution center, which is being built on land Railex purchased from the port.