On the heals of announcing that Oregon’s bridges are safe, on Friday Governor Kulongoski announced that he will push for a major transportation funding package in the 2009 legislative session.
From the Oregonian coverage:
“There is no greater issue in this next legislative session than developing a long-term plan that addresses the needs of all of Oregon, urban and rural, and at the same time provides stable funding to achieve that plan,” Kulongoski said.
24 responses to “Gov Stakes Claim on Transportation”
I would like to see good bus service between Oregon’s smaller towns and cities. Now, it’s pretty much on the Interstates and a few major US highways and a scattered service or two. Why not cover more of the State highways with a means by which people could leave their cars at home or get somewhere if they don’t have one.
We could even have special emphasis on connecting to recreational areas and offer to carry along bicycles, backpacks, skis, snowshoes, etc. For example, linking I-5 in several points to Hwy 101. Or extending from US Hwy 26 further east to John Day and Baker City. How about linking Ashland through Klamath Falls and onto Burns? This is probably not a typical project for State funds but who said Oregon was a typical state?
From the article:
Oregon falls short by $1.3 billion a year in maintaining its transportation system, state officials said.
Is that correct? $1.3 billion annual shortfall, as opposed to $1.3 billion in total deferred maintenance? That’s a pretty staggering gap to close.
Yes, Oregon is falling behind by $1.3B every year. And yes, it’s staggering.
Ron Swaren makes a good point about the lack of transit to recreational areas. Driving from the coast last night on Hwy 26, it’s hard not to think why the state couldn’t offer SOME kind of mass transit to Seaside or other popular areas. Mt Hood is another obvious example. It seems to me that if first class transit options were offered to these places, a lot of people would choose not to drive there. It’s an idea that deserves more attention then its getting
Maybe it is time to establish passenger service to Tillamook through the beautiful Salmonberry canyon route, I would love to ride it…
Maersk is thinking bringing in container ships to Coos Bay, and that would probably result in them improving the railroad to there, and with it, passenger service would become feasible. (Right now it takes 9 hours to get a train from Coos Bay to Eugene. It is a pretty trip, but if you actually intended to get there, you can drive it in 2 from Eugene, or fly from Portland to Coos Bay in an hour in the air+an hour on the ground.) If Tillamook’s tracks are in similar condition, that might explain why there isn’t a passenger service there…
Of course, Amtrak can’t even keep the trains they currently have in the state in good repair, (humm, notice a trend here?) so it would be hard to expand service significantly…
Nearly every time I’ve ever done a weekend at the coast, the trip involved extensive driving up and down the coast from wherever I was staying. I don’t think I’m unusual in that respect. While I expect there are a few people who wouldn’t mind relaxing a couple days at a B&B in Astoria and walking everywhere, I suspect that’s a very small portion of the travelers to the coast.
Passenger rail to the coast has very little potential use, unless you have (a) large numbers of people who want to spend a day or weekend at the end of the line, or (b) good, reliable, extensive public transit to major destinations at the other end. Any guess as to what it would cost to subsidize an hourly intercity bus from, say, Astoria to Coos Bay on 101? Even on a seasonal basis?
Any attempt being made about looking into the impact of the Greyhound cuts made 3 years ago? Any small time operators sweep in to fill the gap in Oregon? In Eastern Washington, when Greyhound dumped Ritzville(bad decision in my opinion, as it is at the junction of I-90 and US395), Northwestern Trailways swooped in to take it over.
“Nearly every time I’ve ever done a weekend at the coast, the trip involved extensive driving up and down the coast from wherever I was staying.”
While I do agree that that is what many people do now, I’m wondering if that is because that is what people really want to do, or if that is what they do because there isn’t a good alternative. If B&Bs were expecting people to show up without a car for a weekend, they would offer a different range of features, (bicycle rental included in your room, for instance,) than if they expected that 99% of their clients to show up in a car… One should also note that many places, (For instance, Multnomah Falls: Not the falls themselves (obviously,) but the site development) were specifically built as railroad destinations, and there is no reason to expect that that sort of thing couldn’t be done again.
Although that probably isn’t what the Governor is probably suggesting, he is probably suggesting improving the freeways and highways. If he is talking about railroads at all, he is probably only talking about mainline ones that have congestion problems, not the short line routes that have been neglected for 40 years…
From what I hear, the Tillamook tracks are in pretty bad shape, with trains limited to 10 mph or less on many sections. However, the ROW is owned by the state, so there is potential there should they ever choose to improve it.
I believe the Coos Bay container deal is contingent on them improving the railroad. As far as I know, that will happen, or the ships will not come. How, I’m not sure. ConnectOregon, perhaps?
That all aside, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Gov is talking about road improvements.
*Clarification*
When talking about the Coos Bay railroad, I didn’t mean for it to sound like Maersk would improve the railroad. No way that would happen. I’d assume that’s the responsibility of the Central Oregon & Pacific (CORP).
I don’t know why there isn’t a bus line connecting Cannon Beach to Astoria – at least. But from Newport to Astoria is the busiest section of coastline, and deserves a bus to move people up and down the coast.
Between that and a bus line from Eugene to the coast and Portland and the coast – and I would never drive there again.
I hate the drive to and from the coast in traffic. I would much rather sit on a bus and look out the window or read or snooze…
1. Banks to Tillamook takes at least eight hours by rail, with steep grades, lots of curves, and rough track. And that’s from Banks – from Portland to Banks is about two hours, over Cornelius Pass, owned and operated by a different company.
2. Having been at the Governor’s press conference last Thursday I can attest he was not just talking about roads. He was very clear that a multi-modal package is essential for the state.
A few months ago, I went to the Oregon Transportation Commission Meeting when they were approving the final cut of Federal transportation grants for 2007-2009. They were happy someone bothered to show up.
I specifically spoke about the Portland to Astoria connection, and that I thought it would work much better if the schedule were the other way around, and leave Portland in the AM and return in the PM.
The other example I mentioned was the CAT (Canby Area Transit) operated bus between Canby and Woodburn, which turns around for Canby about a mile (and a walk across the freeway overpass) from what’s probably the largest tourist and one of the largest employment destinations in Woodburn, the Woodburn Company Stores. One of the OTC commissioners even commented about my 3-hour, 3 transfer bus ride just to get to Salem, which I brought up in the beginning.
Driving from the coast last night on Hwy 26, it’s hard not to think why the state couldn’t offer SOME kind of mass transit to Seaside or other popular areas.
The state does offer a once a day bus between Portland and Astoria, via. Cannon Beach. It leaves Portland at 6:20 PM, and leaves Astoria at 8:30 AM (The schedule is in the current Amtrak Cascades PDF on Amtrak’s website). That’s it. IMO, woefully inadequate. I spoke with someone after the meeting I mentioned above, the service is specifically funded through 2 ODOT divisions – Rail and Public Transit. One of the things they’d like to do is have a route that runs up the coast on Hwy. 101, then to Portland, so Portland to Clatsop Co. and back in a day would be possible.
I could almost hear any Portland news station:
“Trains are restricted to 10 miles per hour, Trucks are being swallowed in our roads, and the Sellwood Bridge is the worst rated on the West Coast. These are all tell tale signs of our aging infrastructure and the 1.3 Billion Dollar transportation funding shortfall… In other news, Oregon can look forward to “kicker” checks totalling 1.1 Billion this December.”
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They would do the second Portland/Astoria run if they had the money allocated for it.
Any attempt being made about looking into the impact of the Greyhound cuts made 3 years ago?
All I know about Greyhound is that everyone seems to complain about the service they run, but even more people complain about the service they’re cutting. I hate to say ‘folks, it’s a bus,’ but people can’t expect airline-quality service.
I hate the drive to and from the coast in traffic. I would much rather sit on a bus and look out the window or read or snooze…
I think most people would. And I do mean most people – not just those that ride transit already.
I don’t know why there isn’t a bus line connecting Cannon Beach to Astoria – at least.
They have a transit system out there – http://ridethebus.org/ – which is part of my point. There’s lots of service in Portland, Eugene, Salem (such as it is), and even a small transit presence in places like Bend, Medford, Newport, Astoria, etc. The connections between most of Oregon are horrible at best, if they exist at all.
I think it would be best to aim big – a statewide initiative to have intercity transit service run seamlessly up and down major highways (to name a few: 20, 26, 30, 97, and 101) with connection points at convenient locations to other intercity routes and locally-operated routes where they exist. The point would be to make transit between places as easy to understand and to use as possible, so more people would use it.
dick BARNARD said: “Maybe it is time to establish passenger service to Tillamook through the beautiful Salmonberry canyon route, I would love to ride it”
The rail line between Banks and Tillamook, originally the Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. (also known as the Punk, Rotten & Nasty) was officially inaugurated in 1911, sold to the Southern Pacific in 1915, and now is owned by the State of Oregon and operated by the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad. It is extremely prone to washouts. Upgrading the route would be extremely difficult if not impossible due to environmental and fish protections along the Salmonberry River. Currently occasional passenger excursion service where vintage passenger equipment has been used is also restricted because a tunnel near the summit is in danger of collapsing (no passenger trains allowed) with rocks constantly falling on the tracks. Freight trains that must pass through it have a speed restriction of 10 MPH (or less). Lift the environmental restrictions along the Salmonberry Canyon, pump a billion or so dollars into the line to up grade it, and just maybe the operational side of regular passenger service (as opposed to special excursions) would be financially self-supporting, but I doubt it.
As for the Governor seeking more funds for transportation infrastructure; if he is truly a democratic governor in practice rather than just another loose cannon propaganda spewing politician attempting to dictate more socialistic controls directed at the people of Oregon, the Governor should be stumping for funding directly coming from all modes of transport, including taxing the bicycle mode of transport, a farebox tax on transit fares and thereby reducing the over-reliance on motor vehicle taxes and fees to fund transportation projects.
There are some buses conecting the Willamette Valley and the Coast. The Amtrak Motorcoach bus does connect to Portland to Astoria and Cannon Beach plus has other routes around Oregon. Some of them run only twice a week.
The Valley Retriever does make some other connections in central and western Oregon. But I think this could be more thorough, especially connecting to recreational areas.
Jason, The Lewis & Clark Explorer using three second hand 1954 Budd built self-propelled rail cars ran between Linnton and Astoria in 2004 and 2005 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark’s Tour of Discovery to the Pacific Northwest. The fare was in the $60 plus dollar range round trip with good patronage. Only after the rail cars were resold to a tourist railroad in Eastern Oregon did the operation break even.
I was aware of the Explorer train service. Didn’t it also take something like 3 hours to go from Linnton to Astoria, with about 3 or 4 hours in Astoria before turning back for Portland?
I’m not necessarily suggesting rail transit – just a way of getting people from one city to another without driving, where one could leave in the morning, spend a day at their destination, and return in the evening. Although it would be great if it could work for commuters (anyone else read the Oregonian article a few months’ ago about the Intel worker who was moving to Cannon Beach, because it was just as long as commuting to/from Battle Ground?), it would probably be mostly tourist/general travel connectivity.
I would like to see good bus service between Oregon’s smaller towns and cities. Now, it’s pretty much on the Interstates and a few major US highways and a scattered service or two. Why not cover more of the State highways with a means by which people could leave their cars at home or get somewhere if they don’t have one.
There is a service, it’s called Greyhound. But they don’t offer their respective service in areas where it isn’t viable. Why should the state push for services that will be sorely underutilized?
As for a coastal train, it would cost upwards of several hundred, possibly multiple billion at the current rate of Government project expenditures to make it timely (1-2 hrs) to get to the beach from Portland via some form of “public mass transit”.
For a privatized mass transit system they state and feds would have to cease giving auto users a free ride via 26. Then it would be absolutely feasible to run a bus, train, or some other transit mode out there at a reasonable price because enough people would be discouraged from using 26 for the mythical “free” price.
But I digress, even with subsidies, it isn’t very feasible unless something is done to discourage usage of 26. I’d personally rather see 26 treated as it should be, and tolled just like other roads like that so they would cover their own expenses. It would provide a much better, more reasonable flow of people to and from the coast.
Hopefully, the state does look at all forms of transportation based on need (e.g., trucks, bikes, purpose for trip).
We are evolving in our understanding that having good land use laws (prior to M37) doesn’t work without good planning and funding for infrastructure to support those land use laws (think Germany with open spaces and dense citiestownhamlets).
If we can support/fund statewide corridors for bikes, critical roads for trucks, High Speed Rail for the Willamette Valley, and intercity transit options. Then we can support our goal of sustainability and respect for our environment.
Maybe down the road, I5 goes autobahn South of Wilsonville and 99E and 99W become improved highways for those of us that can’t afford a toll to use the Willamette Turnpike. I believe at some point in the future, the US government will not be dictating the rules of the road for our investments.
Bike Corridors, Autobahns, and High Speed Rail could be our path for one reason; we are a big State. The point is: options
Ray
Hopefully, the state does look at all forms of transportation based on need (e.g., trucks, bikes, purpose for trip).
We are evolving in our understanding that having good land use laws (prior to M37) doesn’t work without good planning and funding for infrastructure to support those land use laws (think Germany with open spaces and dense citiestownhamlets).
If we can support/fund statewide corridors for bikes, critical roads for trucks, High Speed Rail for the Willamette Valley, and intercity transit options. Then we can support our goal of sustainability and respect for our environment.
Maybe down the road, I5 goes autobahn South of Wilsonville and 99E and 99W become improved highways for those of us that can’t afford a toll to use the Willamette Turnpike. I believe at some point in the future, the US government will not be dictating the rules of the road for our investments.
Bike Corridors, Autobahns, and High Speed Rail could be our path for one reason; we are a big State. The point is: options
Ray
For Freight Movement, how is Central Oregon and Pacific doing on upgrading signals. I saw a photo in TRAINS Magazine a while back of crews replacing the Semaphores with Electrocode signals. I also remember reading something about BNSF trying to keep the ones on Raton Pass going, and they were scavenging other branch lines for spare parts because they are so old. With Raton now owned by the State of New Mexico, the Semaphores and their blades are falling fast.
Found this photo of rare-mileage for Amtrak on COPR, never thought I would see a Talgo framed by Semaphore Blade Signals.
http://www.alpharail.net/corp/Talgo/TALGO9.JPG