The Oregon Transportation Commission may pull the plug on the Winchester Rail Yard project at its February 18th meeting in Salem. Roseburg City Manager Eric Swanson is taking the lead in gathering support from local officials to keep that from happening. At risk is the original $7.7 million dollar grant awarded by the ConnectOregon program to build the rail yard. Swanson feels the Commission will allow time for the public to voice their concerns about the project. The Commission froze the funding right after the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad embargoed and closed the Coos Bay Rail Line with a single day notice in September of 2007. CORP has filed a lawsuit in Douglas County Circuit Court seeking a return on $4 million dollars it originally contributed to the new switching yard.
