BNSF Railway completes railroad bridge in Sedro-Woolley

SEDRO-WOOLLEY - BNSF Railway completed Saturday a railroad bridge that is part of the Jones/John Liner Railroad Undercrossing Project.

With the completion of the bridge, train traffic has returned to normal and sections of Jones and Sapp roads near the bridge have been reopened to through traffic.

The completion of the bridge was heralded by Sedro-Woolley Public Works Director Bill Bullock as the "major linchpin" in the city road project.

In 2020, pilings for the bridge were driven into the ground as part of Phase I of the project.

Phase II was the bridge construction and separate agreements with BNSF that include purchases by the city of easements under the railway in order to place utilities and the new road.

This project has been part of the city's Comprehensive Plan since 2007.

To railroad bridge construction began early Friday.

"I've never seen a bridge built that fast," Bullock said. "This is the linchpin to the entire project and it's exciting to see it completed. This was needed to make the Jones/John Liner arterial corridor a reality.

"Without being able to go through this railroad embankment, you don't have a project. So this is what makes it a reality."

The road that will go under the bridge is still in the design phase. Bullock said the design phase is about 60% complete.

"We are basically on target to bid the job in January for construction and we expect to start construction around mid-April 2027," he said. "And hopefully we will have it done before summer."

The new road will be important to the city.

"There will be lots of benefits, particularly in fire and life safety response times," Bullock said. "Now they will be able to go from Highway 9 from McGarigle Road and cut straight through to F&S Grade Road, rather than having to go through all the roundabouts.

"When we build the road next year, it's going to add a whole lot of benefits to the city."

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