From KQEN Radio
Roseburg, Oregon


Less than a week after the state of Oregon attempted to remove state funds from the Winchester Railyard, a veritable “who’s-who” of government, business and rail officials have called a meeting in Roseburg.
The meeting, set for this morning in City Hall, will answer the question of ‘where do we go from here’ in regards to the proposed switching yard. The list of invited officials includes representatives of the City of Roseburg, Douglas County and the Legislature. Business owners and local shippers will also be on hand. So too will David Arganbright of Rail America.
The agenda includes a recap of the testimony that was given at last week’s Oregon Transportation Commission meeting in Salem, a status update on the project and pending litigation over the switchyard and an attempt to answer the question, “Where do we go from here?”
The Oregon Transportation Commission nearly removed 7.7 million dollars in ConnectOregon funding from the Winchester Railyard Project in a meeting last week. Several key representatives learned of the possible move through the media just three days before the meeting, triggering a swift response.
RailAmerica filed a breech of contract lawsuit over the lack of notice and Roseburg City Manager Eric Swanson and Chamber of Commerce President Dell Gray attended the meeting, offering testimony in favor of preserving the project.
The OTC voted to leave the funding in place, but made it clear the state no longer supported the project, due to CORP and RailAmerica’s handling of the embargo of the Coos Bay Branch line.
The switching yard is of interest to the City of Roseburg because it would shorten the length of trains that come through downtown on the way to the current switching yard. Motorists complaints and safety issues have arose from the regular delays.