Coast rail line could cost $10-million to repair
ROSEBURG, ORE - The Port of Coos Bay will likely have to spend more than $10 million to get the line between Eugene and Coquille back to working order.
That's according to Martin Callery, the Director of Communications and Freight Mobility for the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, which has been approved to purchase the rail line from Central Oregon and Pacific.
Callery said they know there's a lot of work to do to get the railroad line usable again.
"That in order to restore rail service in a timely manner we're going to have to invest somewhere between $9 and $12 million to repair some tunnels and some drainage systems in the tunnels. There are some bridge repairs that need to be done, and some bridge repairs that need to be made in the rail corridor itself. And as I said when I started, our primary purpose is to restore rail service to the industrial users that are there now," said Callery.
Callery said now they're trying to secure a rail company to operate the line.
"On shortline type operations, you get a qualified, experienced, high integrity operator to come in. They will provide the locomotive, either through lease or purchase," said Callery.
Callery added there are some large projects that have drawn interest to the Coos Bay area, that would require rail service, and they need to get the rail running before those companies will come in.
The port is pursuing federal funds available for purchasing an environmentally friendly green locomotive and if they can get it, it would be a big boost to the operation.
