Recognizing the need for efficiency and economy in serving the growing intermodal trade, Tacoma Rail and the Port of Tacoma have completed a dramatic expansion of the classification and staging yards in the Tidelands Division.

The first expansion, completed in 1998, added nine tracks for an additional 28,000 feet. The second expansion, completed in 2001, had three components: another nine tracks (23,000 feet) were added; existing tracks were extended to create two arrival/departure staging tracks, each of which is more than 1.5 miles long; and the new Port of Tacoma Road overpass eliminated an at-grade crossing that had slowed both train and truck traffic. The third expansion, completed in 2003, added three additional staging tracks to the main yard totaling 8,000 additional feet. A fourth staging yard expansion occurred in 2004 when a seven-track yard, consisting of 13,000 feet, was added .