Port tries again for rail grant

With construction on the high speed grain train loading facility at McCoy expected to begin this spring, the Port of Whitman County is again vying for $8.5 million in federal funds to fix up the track leading to the site.

Joe Poire, port executive director, said the port sent off another grant application to the federal Department of Transportation.

Funding would be used to replace tracks and rebuild 25 bridges on the state-owned P&L shortline railroad. The shortline connects the Palouse to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline at Marshall.

Years of deferred maintenance on the track have l...