YAKIMA, Wash. – The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has included the Yakima Valley Trolley Line (YVT) in its Most Endangered Places program, the city of Yakima said in a release.
The YVT, one of the nation’s last operating interurban electric rail lines, was previously recognized as endangered in the late 1980s.
At that time, Union Pacific had ceased electric freight operations, leading to the removal of much of the original 48-mile rail line. However, local efforts resulted in the line receiving historic designation in 1992.
The Yakima City Council is scheduled to vote on a street improvement project in June.
The project includes design options that could preserve the rail lines and overhead electrical system, allowing the YVT to continue operations between Yakima and Selah.
For those interested in the preservation of the YVT, further information and updates will be available from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.
