Coos Bay Rail Link Update

The Coos Ray Rail Link is expected to receive more than $3.5 million dollars in Oregon Lottery revenue.
Lottery bonds are expected to go on sale in May with a portion of the proceeds allocated for repairs that will go towards some needed repairs to reopen the 111 mile rail line.
The Oregon State Legislature in 2009 approved a portion of the proceeds from the bond sale to be allocated towards the coastal branch railroad.
International Port of Coos Bay owns the rail line and has utilized so far $2.5 million dollars in federal stimulus dollars to repair and reopen a number of troubled tunnels along the line.
The Port has also filed with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s ConnectOregon III program for a $7.8 million dollar grant for additional upgrades needed on the routes bridges and rails before the line can be fully reopened from Noti to Coquille.
According to Port officials, no decision has been made yet to name a railroad operator to run the line. That decision is expected to be happen sometime next year.