Portland & Western Railroad is facing a federal complaint before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board alleging that the railroad is shirking its obligations in the aftermath of a railroad bridge’s collapse into the Marys River in Corvallis in January 2025.
The complaint from farmer Larry Venell alleges that the railroad “refused to take any action or provide any information regarding a timeline to resume service” in the 17 months since the bridge collapse.
The railroad is stuck between its legal obligation to provide “common carrier” rail service, and the reality of an estimated $4 million to $6.5 million cost to rebuild the bridge and restore rail service for a handful of small-scale agricultural customers…