The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has learned it may be able to divert $12 million in bridge repair money to help buy the Coos Bay rail line.

The funds were initially secured in 2005. The U.S. Congress approved an omnibus transportation bill that included $8 million to repair the Coos Bay rail bridge. That same year, the Oregon Transportation Commission approved a $4 million Connect Oregon I grant for the same purpose.

Last week, the state commission agreed to broaden the grant’s scope to include the purchase of the line from Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad.

And Monday, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., proposed making a similar change to the transportation bill. If the port is able to obtain the line for less than $12 million, any additional funding can be used for line rehabilitation.

The federal money initially was intended to repair the rail bridge crossing Coos Bay. But Martin Callery, the port’s director of communications and freight mobility, said the port’s staff had asked DeFazio to consider redirecting the money, given the futility of fixing the idle bridge.

“We would not be seen as a fiscally responsible agency if we decided to invest in a rail bridge for a line that is not currently operating,” he said.

DeFazio said he has no question that the change, known as a technical correction, will pass through the House. The question is the Senate. He said a bill containing similar corrections was passed earlier this year, though it originally had been proposed two years ago. The delay was caused by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who placed a hold on the legislation. DeFazio is cautiously optimistic there will be no such repeat performance.

“Generally this kind of legislation is non-controversial,” he said.

The funding would be available to any public entity wanting to purchase the line, though only the Port of Coos Bay has expressed interest. It recently applied to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to buy the line for $9.8 million. CORP submitted an application to abandon the line last week.

In its filing, CORP said the line requires $6.7 million in repairs over the next two years to reopen safely.

DeFazio said he would not have agreed to alter the legislation to allow funds to be used to make repairs if CORP decided to keep the line.

“I would not give CORP anything but a kick in the pants,” he said.

If the federal money is used to buy the line, DeFazio said he will try to get additional bridge repair money in the next transportation bill. Basic repairs to the bridge were made after a transportation bill passed in 1998.

Callery said an engineering analysis had been conducted on the second phase of bridge repairs, and further work was being scheduled, when CORP closed the line in September 2007.

He said the port still plans to repair the bridge, provided its feeder line application is approved. If the port takes ownership, it will hire engineers to inspect the line to determine what is needed to make it safe to operate.

“Our first priority is to restore service,” he said.

Staff Writer Alexander Rich covers Port of Coos Bay issues for The World. He can be reached by calling 269-1222, ext. 234; or by e-mailing to arich@theworldlink.com.