SALEM, Ore. — Oregon’s legislature has passed a bill seeking to expand the state’s collaboration with Washington state and other entities to improve passenger and freight rail operations in the Cascades Corridor.
HB3233 was passed by a 16-12 vote of the state Senate on Tuesday, April 29, after the House passed it by a 44-12 margin earlier in April. The bill now goes to Gov. Tina Kotek for her signature.
The bill calls for the state’s Department of Transportation to work with the Washington State DOT, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and “other public bodies, as appropriate,” to develop “a shared regional approach” to regional passenger rail, including a plan:
— “to document the shared vision, goals, and objectives” for passenger and freight rail service;
— “to achieve performance goals, manage fleet assets, share costs, prioritize investments, improve infrastructure, and resolve interagency disputes:”
— and to propose funding options for infrastructure improvements and operations.
It also authorizes agreements with WSDOT on shared passenger rail service plans.
“We need to think regionally and act strategically,” Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham) said in a press release from the Senate Majority Office. “This bill positions Oregon to lead, not follow, in building a stronger rail system for our economy, our environment, and future generations.”
KOBI-TV reports that the bill provides a framework for expansion beyond the current Amtrak Cascades route between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C. “It’s not enough that we serve down to Eugene,” Gorsek told the station.
” ….. to document the shared, visions, goals and objects ….”
How even to comment on that pap.