The Oregon Department of Transportation has released the Oregon Rail Study, a comprehensive review of Oregon's freight and passenger rail system. The study, requested by the 2007 Oregon Legislature, is aimed at increasing the understanding of Oregon's privately-owned railroad system and what role the state might play in maintaining and growing the rail system in Oregon. The study covers both freight and passenger rail issues.

The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 allocated $8 billion to jumpstart the development of improved high-speed intercity passenger rail service in the United States. The Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor received $598 million. Of that amount, Oregon was awarded $8 million in the first round for three projects:

Replace the roof on Portland's historic Union Station, built in 1896.

Conduct preliminary engineering for two rail projects to improve mobility and reduce congestion in north Portland.

President Obama has pledged to include an additional $1 billion for high-speed intercity passenger rail in each of the next five years' budgets. Oregon will continue to compete for federal funds in future rounds.

For more information on Oregon Passenger Rail go to: