Oregon DOT kicks off hearings for Portland-Eugene passenger-rail plan

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has begun soliciting public input on a draft environmental impact statement for a proposed passenger-rail service between Portland and the Eugene-Springfield area.

Department officials yesterday began the first of five public meetings to review and discuss the environmental study findings, which were made public in October.

The remaining meetings, which will wrap up Dec. 6, will be held in Oregon City, Albany, Salem and Eugene. An online open house will be available through Dec. 18.

The document outlines two alternatives for the 125-mile service: One would follow the existing Amtrak Cascades route; the other would include a new route between Springfield and Oregon City along Interstate 5.

ODOT and the Federal Railroad Administration have identified the first option as the preferred alternative, ODOT officials said in an email.

For several years, ODOT has studied ways to improve the frequency, convenience, speed and reliability of intercity passenger-rail service between the Portland and Eugene-Springfield urban areas.