FAST Is the Key to Moving Freight Through Tacoma

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t the Port of Tacoma it’s all about get ting the freight in and out — FAST, as in the Freight Action Strategy for Seattle and Tacoma. The state program is funded by government and private sources to improve freight mobility throughout Puget Sound, a regional economy that depends heavily upon Pacific Rim trade.

The FAST program has helped the two main Washington ports with projects designed to move freight more efficiently from the ports by road and rail. It also covers the transportation infrastructure reaching to the Port of Everett in the northwest part of the state.

Imports from Asia play a big role in Washington’s state economy. Last year, Tacoma alone handled about $25.5 billion in international trade, most of it from Asia. Imports to Tacoma are booming. Its handling of containers grew by 18.2% in 2003 over 2002, while West Coast ports in general were up 12%, said Mike Wasem, a port spokesman.

Tacoma handled about 1.73 million 20-foot- equivalent units of containers last year, fourth on the West Coast behind the California ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland.

For the full story, see the June 14 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.