Oregon Public Broadcasting

Next month, a federal railroad agency will listen to arguments about the closed rail line between Eugene and the Oregon Coast.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has agreed to hold a hearing in Oregon about the railroad's plans to abandon the key shipping connection.

Springfield Democratic Rep. Peter Defazio says the hearing is a victory of sorts in the discussions with Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, or CORP.

Peter Defazio: “Obviously, CORP would prefer to do this away from the affected public, do it in Washington D.C., so maybe only a few of the shippers, maybe the Port, would be represented.”

The railroad operator shut down the line last year. It said 3 dangerously-old tunnels on the route would cost $7 million to fix, and that the route was unprofitable.

Having it closed hurt at least four major companies that use the rail line to move timber, steel, and wood chips.

Defazio and other lawmakers say the company must reopen the line -- or sell the connection to a company willing to do so.

Defazio says he backs a plan by the Port of Coos Bay to purchase the rail line for almost $10 million.