State-rail squabble may slow some Ore. drivers
Saturday, November 15, 2008 10:36 PM PST
FLORENCE (AP) — The tussle between the state of Oregon and a railroad company over a Coast Range line could be on the minds of Douglas County drivers down the road — while their cars are idling at rail crossings.
Officials in Roseburg say they may be caught between the state and the railroad as a result of the last week’s developments related to the decision of the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad to shutter a 111-mile short line between Coquille and Eugene last September.
After the decision, the Oregon Transportation Commission suspended a $7.7 million grant for the railroad to build a rail yard and transfer facility in Winchester, north of Roseburg. This fall, the federal Surface Transportation Board ordered the railroad to sell the line to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. The port plans to buy it.
This week, the commission scheduled a vote on rescinding the grant altogether.
That could mean no solution to the congestion problems in downtown Roseburg.
