Site search
sponsored by
News
It could alleviate traffic jams, simplify emergency responses and help Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad keep up with increasing rail use.
But relocating the downtown Roseburg switchyard to the Winchester area would also require public support. That’s why Roseburg, Douglas County and CORP officials are hosting a presentation for community members at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the City Hall Council Chambers.
“We would like to tell them what our plans are and get as much support as we can,” said Dan Lovelady, CORP’s general manager.
The project, which will involve building a yard with nine tracks and two switching leads capable of holding 281 cars, depends on landing a grant from Connect Oregon. The state funding program aims to improve transportation systems in ways that attract business and improve the quality of life, according to the state’s Web site.
Lovelady couldn’t provide a cost estimate for the project because engineers are still working on the designs. But he thinks with enough public support and the required backing CORP’s parent corporation has agreed to provide, the project has a chance.
“We feel that we have a pretty good shot at acquiring some of that money to build this yard,” he said.
CORP has seen a significant increase in the services it provides, with 54,000 carloads projected for next year — up from 32,000 about a decade ago. Lovelady said a new switchyard will help the rail system keep up with demand.
“We are pretty much at capacity,” he said.
And most everyone has sat frustrated at one of the railroad crossings that bisect the city at one point or another. Lovelady said that won’t end completely, but shorter trains and switching cars farther north will help.
“It’s gonna help tremendously,” he said.
Fewer and shorter stops at the crossings also means an easier time for emergency service crews.
Roseburg Fire Chief Jack Cooley said when a train bisects town, it undermines the efficiency of responding to an emergency.
“Every second counts,” he said. He does appreciate CORP’s current efforts to warn dispatch 10 minutes before a train comes through, he added.
Roseburg City Council President Tim Freeman said he’s contacted state legislators to gain support for the Connect Oregon funding. Aside from alleviating traffic congestion, moving the switchyard out of downtown will boost the city’s efforts to improve that area and the waterfront.
“It would be a tremendous benefit to the city of Roseburg,” he said.
• You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.
But relocating the downtown Roseburg switchyard to the Winchester area would also require public support. That’s why Roseburg, Douglas County and CORP officials are hosting a presentation for community members at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the City Hall Council Chambers.
“We would like to tell them what our plans are and get as much support as we can,” said Dan Lovelady, CORP’s general manager.
The project, which will involve building a yard with nine tracks and two switching leads capable of holding 281 cars, depends on landing a grant from Connect Oregon. The state funding program aims to improve transportation systems in ways that attract business and improve the quality of life, according to the state’s Web site.
Lovelady couldn’t provide a cost estimate for the project because engineers are still working on the designs. But he thinks with enough public support and the required backing CORP’s parent corporation has agreed to provide, the project has a chance.
“We feel that we have a pretty good shot at acquiring some of that money to build this yard,” he said.
CORP has seen a significant increase in the services it provides, with 54,000 carloads projected for next year — up from 32,000 about a decade ago. Lovelady said a new switchyard will help the rail system keep up with demand.
“We are pretty much at capacity,” he said.
And most everyone has sat frustrated at one of the railroad crossings that bisect the city at one point or another. Lovelady said that won’t end completely, but shorter trains and switching cars farther north will help.
“It’s gonna help tremendously,” he said.
Fewer and shorter stops at the crossings also means an easier time for emergency service crews.
Roseburg Fire Chief Jack Cooley said when a train bisects town, it undermines the efficiency of responding to an emergency.
“Every second counts,” he said. He does appreciate CORP’s current efforts to warn dispatch 10 minutes before a train comes through, he added.
Roseburg City Council President Tim Freeman said he’s contacted state legislators to gain support for the Connect Oregon funding. Aside from alleviating traffic congestion, moving the switchyard out of downtown will boost the city’s efforts to improve that area and the waterfront.
“It would be a tremendous benefit to the city of Roseburg,” he said.
• You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.
