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NORTH BEND — Low gas taxes and registration fees combined with more fuel efficient vehicles that have lowered costs for consumers can actually hurt Coos County’s economy by not providing enough funding for roads.

So can the closure of the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad line between Coquille and Vaughn.

So said Sen. Rick Metsger, D-Welches, chairman of the Senate’s Business and Transportation Committee, to 70 to 80 people who attended a Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Independent Business Operators forum at The Mill Casino-Hotel on Wednesday. During his stop on the statewide Moving Oregon Transportation Tour, Metsger asked for input to contribute to the formation of a transportation funding plan for the 2009 legislative session. He had sponsored SB 566, to create transportation funding strategies, at the last legislative session.

“I need your help,” Metsger said. “Our goal in 2008 is to build a transportation investment package like we’ve never had before; to have rail service and road systems that connect with marine ports.

“That’s the key to revitalization.”

With the shutting down of the rail line, Metsger said the county has experienced firsthand what can happen when transportation ceases.

“You, of all people, understand the connection between a transportation investment and the growth of the economy,” he said. “When the rail shut down, suddenly there were hundreds of people out of work.”

He said he met with Joseph Boardman, administrator of the Federal Rail Administration in Washington, D.C., last week to talk about the rail crisis.

“He assured me what they will do is bring in the railroad folks and make them accountable for what their plans are,” Metsger said. “They need to use the power of regulation to make the owner of the railroad be more transparent with their plans. I think they can put some pressure on them to do that.”

Coos Bay Democrat Sen. Joanne Verger, also a member of the Business and Transportation Committee, was scheduled to introduce Metsger, but instead attended CORP’s meeting in Eugene Wednesday afternoon to discuss CORP’s idea for a public-private partnership to fund rail line repairs.

Funding of the roads is another big problem, according to Metsger.

The state’s annual $30 vehicle registration fee ranks 48 out of the 50 states. Oregon drivers have traveled 50 percent more miles since 1993, but the state’s gas tax, 24 cents per gallon, hasn’t changed since that same year.

“Inflation has eaten 70 percent of that,” Metsger said of gas tax revenues.

“For the first time, our gas tax revenue has flattened out,” he said. “People are driving less and there are more fuel-efficient cars. But, we need to have the infrastructure so you can travel. Fossil fuels pay for the highways, so we have to come up with a solution.”

Gas taxes and title/registration fees combined provide 35 cents per gallon/per person to pay for the transportation infrastructure, he said. This compares to Washington’s $1 per gallon/per person, California’s $1.13, Nevada’s 94 cents and Idaho’s 70 cents per gallon/per person.

“There is a connection here,” he said.

North Bend resident Doug Thompson asked why there is no direct highway from Coos Bay to Interstate 5.

“It’s not in our immediate future,” Metsger said. “We are focusing on how to improve the existing infrastructure, passing lanes and dangerous curves.”

Coos Bay resident Andy Nasburg said he began a citizens’ committee to create interest in an east-west highway in 1964.

“Truckers said they’d rather pull 20 miles farther, rather than go up 1,000 feet,” he said.

Another audience member suggested a light rail system.

“I don’t think that you could aggregate enough rides to make it worth it,” Metsger said.

Metsger warned that prospective business owners looking at Coos County and the rest of the state are noticing what is happening.

“Private industry has to be able to grow,” he said. “Companies are looking at our transportation issues.

“Transportation — it’s the element that allows businesses to come, grow and expand. Your legislators need to hear from you. That is what will make Oregon competitive; and 10 to 20 years from now you’ll be talking about the growth of the economy.”