Today is the day the Oregon Transportation Commission could pull funding for the Winchester Rail Yard, unless Roseburg can save the day again. In Salem this afternoon, the Commission will listen and take public testimony and then make their final decision. Roseburg City Manager Eric Swanson has led a campaign in getting the word out on just how important it is to have the rail yard completed. In a letter Swanson wrote and submitted to the Governor and State and local officials, he says that without the yard the City of Roseburg will have to continue to endure long trains and delays at the many rail crossings thru town. Swanson adds that if the Commission cancels the project and rescinds the $7 million dollar ConnectOregon grant, the rail yard may never be completed and could result in a loss of jobs. Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad has filed a lawsuit in Douglas County Circuit Court to recover the $4 million dollars the company has invested in construction costs.
The Oregon Transportation Commission has followed through with their plans to terminate state funding for the Winchester Railyard. Roseburg City Manager Eric Swanson was at yesterdays meeting and said the vote to terminate was not a surprise. Swanson said he was given the chance to speak in fron of the Commission before the decision was made and Oregon State Representative Tim Freeman asked the commission to table the issue. But the vote to rescind the 7 million dollar state grant was unanimous. Swanson says ODOT officials were unable to talk with him about the situation due to pending litigation between CORP and the state. CORP has sued the state to recover the 4 million dollars it invested in the project, wrongfull termination of the contract and for reinstatement and damages. Swanson hopes to be able to share Roseburg’s story during whatever court proceedings take place to settle that suit. In the meantime, Swanson says the railyard is 90 days away from being finished and should be considered ‘more than shovel ready’ when it comes to possible federal funding sources.
