The state of Oregon, in its infinate stupidity, requested that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) send out inspectors to verify whether or not CORP's evaluation was correct, which it did. FRA concurred with the CORP report as being accurate and re-declared the tunnels unsafe and subject to catastrophic failure. The cost was affirmed at 24-some million dollars. In doing so, the State effectively "shot itself in the foot (maybe both feet!)".

For CORP to attempt to reopen the line without the structural engineers (and most likely the FRA since they got involved) approval would most likely subject CORP (and the managers individually through FRA fines for intentionally reopening an unsafe line) to lawsuits until Hell freezes over.

I agree that the common carrier obligatiion exists, but to reopen the line without all of the repairs completed would be just plain stupid. I believe the abandonment route is the only way they can rid themselves of the obligation and once ODOT or a shipper takes over under a 10903 scenario, the new operators will learn very quickly about running a loser railroad.

If the State was smart, they would pony up the 20% match to qualify for FEMA funding and get the Port of Tillamook back up and running.

Shortline Sammie