32nd Street Rail Crossing

Raising 32nd Street nearly 30 ft. above the at-grade BNSF freight rail line eliminates one of the busiest rail crossings in Washington. A new overcrossing bridge carries traffic above the tracks and lays the framework for a future third track. Completing in 2029, the project transforms a quarter mile of roadway into a modern, mixed-use corridor while advancing rail authority negotiations, construction permitting, and utility relocations.   

Need 

An average of 32 trains and roughly 5,700 vehicles cross the BNSF tracks at 32nd Street each day, with corridor capacity reaching up to 60 trains daily, making it one of the busiest rail crossings in the state. Frequent train blockages back up traffic, slow emergency response, and limit mobility for the Washougal community. Separating vehicle and rail traffic addresses this regional bottleneck and restores safe, reliable access through the corridor. 

Work 

• Advance the overcrossing bridge design  
• Complete environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)  
• Rebuild a quarter mile of roadway and adjacent intersections  
• Construct retaining walls, drainage, and stormwater systems  
• Relocate utilities throughout the corridor  
• Design a multi-modal path 
• Coordinate design and construction requirements with BNSF Railway 
• Maintain traffic and business access throughout construction 
• Acquire and coordinate required right-of-way 
• Construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements connecting the corridor 
• Coordinate phased construction around active freight rail operations 
• Prepare the corridor for future rail expansion, including a third track 

Impact  

Separating rail and roadway traffic improves safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout the corridor and gives emergency responders unimpeded access through Washougal. Eliminating the at-grade crossing removes recurring traffic delays, reduces vehicle emissions from idling and improves the reliability of freight and passenger movement. The project strengthens connections between SR 14, downtown Washougal, and the Port of Camas-Washougal Industrial Park while creating safer multimodal access and accommodating future growth in both roadway and rail traffic.