Eastport, ID Railyards

Overview of the Intermodal Railyards

Eastport Rail Terminal is operated by Union Pacific and connects directly with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) at the U.S.-Canada border. The terminal handles lumber, grain, woodchips, and bulk commodities, serving as the northern terminus of UP’s Spokane Subdivision and a critical interchange for transborder rail traffic.

The Eastport Intermodal Facility provides cross-dock transfer for lumber, agricultural products, and bulk goods, enabling efficient modal shifts between rail and truck. The site features a dedicated lumber transload facility and supports daily local and through train operations.

Market Size and Economic Impact

Eastport processes over 1,300 inbound trains annually, with cross-border freight valued at more than $2 billion. The rail sector supports over 200 direct jobs in Boundary County and is a top-5 U.S.-Canada rail crossing by tonnage, driving significant economic activity in the Idaho Panhandle.

Competitive Landscape

• Union Pacific: Operates the Spokane Subdivision with daily local and through trains, connecting to CPKC at Eastport
• CPKC: Provides direct transborder service to Alberta and Saskatchewan, linking Canadian resource markets to U.S. destinations
• Lumber Transload: Specialized facility at Eastport supports high-volume lumber exports and regional forest products logistics

Opportunities

• Cross-Border Trade: USMCA-driven growth in agricultural and forest product exports increases rail volumes and terminal demand
• Value-Added Logistics: Expansion of transload and warehousing services attracts new shippers and regional manufacturers
• Infrastructure Grants: Federal and state funding opportunities support modernization and capacity upgrades at the Eastport terminal

Challenges

• Border Delays: Customs processing and security protocols can slow cross-border train movements and increase dwell times
• Single-Track Bottlenecks: Limited mainline capacity between Sandpoint and Eastport constrains throughput during peak periods
• Weather Impacts: Winter storms and flooding in the Kootenai River Valley can disrupt rail operations and terminal access

Trade and Logistics Trends

• Lumber Exports: Strong demand for U.S. lumber and woodchips drives consistent cross-border shipments
• Grain Movements: Seasonal grain exports from Alberta and Saskatchewan boost inbound train volumes
• Regional Distribution: Growth in Pacific Northwest and Mountain West markets increases southbound rail traffic

Future Outlook

• Terminal Expansion: Planned siding extensions and yard upgrades will increase capacity for longer trains and higher volumes
• Digital Integration: Implementation of advanced customs pre-clearance and real-time tracking systems is underway
• Sustainability Initiatives: New emissions-reduction projects and energy-efficient equipment support environmental goals

Recommendations

• Capacity Upgrades: Invest in double-tracking and yard expansion to accommodate projected growth in cross-border rail traffic
• Technology Modernization: Deploy digital customs processing and asset tracking to reduce delays and improve visibility
• Workforce Development: Expand training and recruitment programs to support specialized rail and logistics operations