The Port of Pasco is moving quickly after an engineering firm found the port’s rail crossing at Oregon Avenue is deteriorating due to heavy traffic.

HDR found the issues while conducting a rail assessment at the port’s Big Pasco Industrial Center. Port officials said the crossing is still safe to use but have declared an emergency so temporary repairs can be conducted as soon as possible while a long-term solution is developed.

The emergency declaration means the port will be able to waive routine competitive bidding requirements for the work. Estimated costs for the project, which will be completed in July or August, have not yet been determined.

“If we had to go through procurement, it would be six months before we could do a repair and we don’t think that’s a wise move,” Stephen McFadden, the port’s deputy director, told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

The port contracted with HDR in April to conduct the rail assessment as part of its strategic plan to address its aging facilities, especially at Big Pasco.

McFadden said HDR’s staff inspected the crossing while doing initial walkthroughs and found evidence of components breaking beneath the concrete decking. The crossing, which was installed 20 years ago, needs to have the decking removed so steel components can be inspected for deterioration. Debris also needs to be cleared from under the crossing.

HDR is currently developing a full scope of work for the temporary repair, which will require the crossing to be reduced from its current four lanes to two lanes for about a day and a half. McFadden said the repair will be conducted over a weekend to minimize disruption. The port is working with the city of Pasco and the state Department of Transportation before the repairs can be scheduled.

While costs are not yet determined, McFadden said the repairs will be paid for out of the capital projects budget set aside for Big Pasco. If needed, planned projects will be postponed so their funding can cover the cost of the work.

A permanent fix will need to come later on, requiring longer lane closures.