Proposed state budget includes rail funds

CONNELL — Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed 2023-25 budget includes about $15 million for the Connell Rail Interchange Project.

The budget includes $10 million previously approved by the Legislature in 2015 as well as an additional $5 million in the upcoming biennium.

Approximately $500,000 have already been spent for design and engineering on the project that would upgrade the 100-year-old railroad interchange.

Local officials said the funding is an important step to improve the growing rail activity through Connell where the Columbia Basin rail line intersection with Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s...