Workers could begin repairing tunnels along the Coos Bay Rail Link as soon as next month. But aging bridge trestles and worn tracks also need repairs before the line can open. Port officials don't have any money for that.

The port got $2.5 million in federal stimulus funds to repair tunnels 13, 15 and 18 along the 111-mile line. It was safety concerns regarding those tunnels that led Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad to shut down the line in September 2007.

The state has imposed a deadline of the middle of June to put the project out to bid. But there is no timeline for additional repairs.

The minimum amount of work to restore service is estimated at between $6.5 million and $9.5 million, said Martin Callery, director of communications for the Port of Coos Bay. The entire length of track would be passable, but there would be stretches of track where train cars would have to slow down to 10 miles per hour.

This could affect operations, Callery said, because train crews can't work for more than 12 hours at a time. Without more extensive repairs, trains could make it from North Bend to Eugene in 10 hours, but making stops at sites along the route could get workers to 12 hours without reaching the end of the line. That would force the railroad operator to hire a second crew to complete the trip.

This problem could be avoided if the port upgrades the entire line to allow trains to travel up to 25 miles per hour the entire length of track. Those upgrades would take $34 million, including the $2.5 million already allocated for tunnel repairs. But the port doesn't have the money.

Both projects would take about the same amount of time, Callery said. Once funding is in place, the port expects the less expensive project to take between 12 and 15 months. The more extensive project could take an additional three months.

"The determining factor will be the sources of funding," he said.

The port wants to apply for a Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing loan, Callery said, but it's in a holding pattern. The Federal Railroad Administration distributes the loans, but expects applicants to demonstrate a revenue stream before work starts.

Making repairs once train service is restored will slow additional upgrades and be more expensive. I's because crews would be forced to stop their work to allow trains to pass, Callery said.

The port has been learning more about the line since buying it in March. It hired Dan Lovelady, who once oversaw the railroad, as a part-time operations manager. Callery said Lovelady has been out to inspect the line and will do more of it as potential tunnel repair contractors inspect the line.

"Bit by bit we are learning more about the condition of the rail," said Callery. "In the past month, he's seen as much of the rail as he could."

Local shippers are remaining patient.

Ray Barbee, vice president of sales and marketing for Roseburg Forest Products, said his company is supportive of the port's efforts.

"We've had to utilize other forms of shipping for nearly 18 months," he said. "We'll continue to cope with it. We have no choice."

His one concern is whether the track from Coos Bay to the Roseburg Forest Products mill in Coquille will be up and running by the time the port has its line operating.

Union Pacific owns that stretch and Callery isn't sure of its plans.

A Union Pacific media relations specialist did not immediately return a voice mail message or e-mail.