PEND OREILLE COUNTY, Wash. – The Port of Pend Oreille has received a $1 million grant from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board’s Rural Ports Program. This funding will support the POVA Rail Phase 1 Rehabilitation Project.
The project focuses on restoring rail infrastructure along the Pend Oreille Valley corridor to enable passenger rail services. Five miles of track between Usk and Cusick, along with the Birdhouse Crossing at Highway 20, will be repaired.
The project has secured a total of $1.25 million in funding, including $220,000 in match funding from the non-taxing Port district and $25,000 from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission’s safety grant.
“This funding is an important step to turning our vision of heritage rail tourism into reality, creating jobs, attracting visitors, and diversifying our economy,” Port Commissioner Kim Gentle stated.
The project will foster a partnership between the Port of Pend Oreille and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, working to return out-of-service tracks to operational condition, while performing maintenance on the historic rail corridor that had been previously deferred for years.
Jessica Garza, Economic Development Director with the Port of Pend Oreille, stated that the project will create between six and 10 railroad operations positions in addition to a variety of tourism and hospitality jobs in ticket sales, train hosting and food service.
Garza also noted that the project would propel tourism into a promising new economic sector for the county by establishing passenger rail service between Newport and the Kalispel Casino area.
The rehabilitation of the Birdhouse Crossing at Highway 20 also aims to strengthen public safety by working to address a “critical vehicle-rail conflict point.”
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2026 with a completion goal set for 2028. Garza announced that the project comprises “Phase 1 of the Port’s broader vision of restored rail service throughout North Pend Oreille County.”
