2020 Award for Excellence Nominee

Rainier - Street Rail Safety Improvement Project

This project involved the realignment of the railroad line going through the city's main business district due to ongoing safety concerns. It began in 2002 and involved a variety of partnerships and collaboration between public and private entities. Funding for the over $10 million project came from ODOT, the Oregon Business Development Division, the Genesse Wyoming Rail Road, Connect Oregon, the federal government, the Port of St. Helens, the City of Rainier street and utility funds and local businesses. 
The project has recently been completed and has already revitalized downtown Rainier's infrastructure and improved safety for pedestrians, automobiles, the railroad and service and delivery vehicles. It included the replacement and modernization of city water, roads, sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping, along with a refurbishing of the sewer system in the area. Utilities for Comcast and the Clatskanie Public Utility District were relocated underground as part of the project.