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Tribe kicks in cash for rail study |
| By Nicole
Clark, Newberg Graphic Intern
|
Yamhill County is one
step closer to discovering the feasibility of rail service in the
area.
The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde recently announced they
will contribute $10,000 toward a study to examine the potential for
passenger rail service along the Highway 99W corridor between
Sherwood and Willamina.
Siobhan Taylor, public affairs director for the tribe, said the
tribe saw value in their contribution. “The tribe sees itself as a
partner in projects that are of value and interest to the
surrounding community and its governing bodies,” she said.
She added that if rail service is extended to Grand Ronde, the new
transportation option will be valuable for everyone: the tribe, area
residents who commute to McMinnville or the Portland area, and
tourists who pass through the area.
The tribe’s contribution — combined with $5,000 each from the
cities of Newberg, Sherwood and McMinnville, $5,000 from Yamhill
County and other pledges — brought organizers of the study close to
their $35,000 goal.
Other contributors include the city of Dundee, Argyle Winery of
Dundee, Stoller Cellars, Chehalem Valley Mills, Doran Automotive and
the Austin family.
Matt Simek, the Newberg businessman leading the charge, said the
study will give the county a baseline of information from which to
operate.
“So far we have only had speculation and speculation can vary from
one person to the next,” he said. “This study will be the first step
in providing the facts that we need to make informed decisions.”
According to a release from Simek, the study will explore the
condition of all rail corridors in the county — including tracks,
trestles and crossings — and determine what upgrades would be
required for passenger service. It will also examine how a passenger
system could be designed to operate most efficiently alongside
existing freight service and review federal, state and local
regulations.
Finally, the study will estimate the cost of such a system and
consider financing options, as well as analyze risk factors. The
county hopes to complete the study by fall.
The idea of Yamhill County passenger rail service is not new; it
was originally studied in 1998 by the Oregon Department of
Transportation. The county’s efforts were renewed with the
projection of a population boom within the next 20 years, rising
fuel costs and increased traffic on an aging roadway system.
The study, proposed in 2006 by state Sen. Gary George, originally
called for a seasonal “tourist” train bringing visitors from
Portland to the county’s wine country, as a first step toward
regular passenger service between Yamhill County and Portland.
Simek said there has been little opposition to the study.
“The public support has been phenomenal,” he said. “It’s absolutely
been fantastic. Very few people have expressed any concern. When
they do, they don’t have any data to support their position. The
overwhelming support is for it.”
|
Published
June 16, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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