Some activity returned yesterday to the Coos Bay Rail Line as a Tillamook contractor starts repairs on four troubled tunnels.
The International Port of Coos Bay awarded a six month, 2.5 million dollar contract to LRL Construction Company to repair the tunnels.
Bob Ragon, Executive Director for the Coos-Siskiyou Shippers Coalition says it’s a welcome sign.
Shippers like Roseburg Forest Products, South Port Lumber Company, Georgia Pacific and American Bridge Company have all seen increased transportation costs over the last two years to move their products to a reload point near Eugene in order to utilize rail traffic.
Late last week the LRL Construction Company started moving heavy equipment and supplies to tunnel 13 just outside of Vaughn.
The other tunnels to be worked on include tunnel 15 just south of Florence, Tunnel 18 near Tahkenitch Lake and Tunnel 20 at Tenmile Lake near Lakeside.
Brush removal has already begun on the 111 mile rail line and a few rail crossings and some bridges are scheduled to receive some needed repairs before the line can be reopened.
The Port is hopeful enough repairs can be completed and the rail line reopened next summer.