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From the "Cut Off Your Nose To Spite Your Face" dept:
Author: Tunnelmotordave
Date: 09-26-2007 - 13:02
[www.oregonnews.com]
ODOT stops switchyard funds after railroad closes line
JOHN SOWELL, jsowell@newsreview.info
September 26, 2007
The Oregon Department of Transportation has placed a hold on
millions in funding to help Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad
move its switching yard out of Roseburg after the railroad last
week shut down a spur line between Eugene and Coquille.
The railroad made the decision to close the segment after
determining it could cost up to $7 million to make repairs to a
series of nine tunnels located along the route. Each of the
tunnels is at least 115 years old, according to a statement from
the railroad's parent company, RailAmerica.
The announcement caught shippers and state officials, including
Rep. Susan Morgan of Green, off guard. There was no advance
warning that a closure was necessary, Morgan said Monday.
The spur line serves a number of businesses, including the
American Bridge plant at Bolon Island outside Reedsport and the
Coquille plywood plant operated by Roseburg Forest Products. In
addition, Georgia-Pacific and the Southport Forest Products
sawmill in Coos Bay also rely on the line.
Without it, products must be shipped by truck to Eugene, where
they are loaded onto rail cars. That step adds an estimated 10
to 15 percent to shipping costs.
ODOT officials have asked for a copy of an engineering report
that Central Oregon & Pacific relied upon in making its decision
to close the route, Morgan said. ODOT engineers will examine the
track and determine whether the repair estimates are accurate.
On Monday, about 40 members of the Oregon Gateway program headed
by Morgan met at ODOT's Roseburg regional office, along with
representatives from the offices of Gov. Ted Kulongoski and U.S.
Rep. Peter DeFazio. The meeting had been scheduled prior to the
railroad's announcement, but the shutdown of the spur line was a
heavily discussed topic during the 2 1/2-hour meeting.
The Oregon Gateway program includes public and private
stakeholders from five counties, including Douglas County, who
have joined together to identify needs and push for public
transportation investments.
"There was concern that there is no plan to repair the line,"
Morgan said after the meeting, which was closed to the public.
Railroad officials and Kelly Taylor, head of ODOT'S Rail
Division, were not immediately available for comment.
You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at
jsowell@newsreview.info.
ODOT stops switchyard funds after railroad closes line
JOHN SOWELL, jsowell@newsreview.info
September 26, 2007
The Oregon Department of Transportation has placed a hold on
millions in funding to help Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad
move its switching yard out of Roseburg after the railroad last
week shut down a spur line between Eugene and Coquille.
The railroad made the decision to close the segment after
determining it could cost up to $7 million to make repairs to a
series of nine tunnels located along the route. Each of the
tunnels is at least 115 years old, according to a statement from
the railroad's parent company, RailAmerica.
The announcement caught shippers and state officials, including
Rep. Susan Morgan of Green, off guard. There was no advance
warning that a closure was necessary, Morgan said Monday.
The spur line serves a number of businesses, including the
American Bridge plant at Bolon Island outside Reedsport and the
Coquille plywood plant operated by Roseburg Forest Products. In
addition, Georgia-Pacific and the Southport Forest Products
sawmill in Coos Bay also rely on the line.
Without it, products must be shipped by truck to Eugene, where
they are loaded onto rail cars. That step adds an estimated 10
to 15 percent to shipping costs.
ODOT officials have asked for a copy of an engineering report
that Central Oregon & Pacific relied upon in making its decision
to close the route, Morgan said. ODOT engineers will examine the
track and determine whether the repair estimates are accurate.
On Monday, about 40 members of the Oregon Gateway program headed
by Morgan met at ODOT's Roseburg regional office, along with
representatives from the offices of Gov. Ted Kulongoski and U.S.
Rep. Peter DeFazio. The meeting had been scheduled prior to the
railroad's announcement, but the shutdown of the spur line was a
heavily discussed topic during the 2 1/2-hour meeting.
The Oregon Gateway program includes public and private
stakeholders from five counties, including Douglas County, who
have joined together to identify needs and push for public
transportation investments.
"There was concern that there is no plan to repair the line,"
Morgan said after the meeting, which was closed to the public.
Railroad officials and Kelly Taylor, head of ODOT'S Rail
Division, were not immediately available for comment.
You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at
jsowell@newsreview.info.
From the "Cut Off Your Nose To Spite Your Face" dept: