The upcoming City Club meeting on Jan 13 should be of great interest to many Corvallisites, as it concerns the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) plan for the new 125-mile, high-speed light rail trunk that’ll eventually travel from Eugene to Portland. Considering the fact that the two currently proposed routes bypass Benton County, and of course Corvallis, the current outlook casts a long shadow of lost opportunities for commuters of both business and personal natures.
Speaking at the event will be Jim Cox, who manages a handful of passenger rail projects for ODOT. He’s set to discuss the project’s status as well as associated environmental concerns and possible options for Benton County. Also stepping up to the microphone will be our very own Linda Modrell, who has served as Benton County Commissioner since 1999.
If you feel that this issue touches you in any way, attending this City Club meeting would be a great way to get involved and see what options Corvallis might have left, if any, to divert attention back to our city so that locals won’t be forced to commute to Albany in the future just to catch the train, and that those wishing to visit our little burg won’t have to do the same in reverse.
City Club meets in the Les Schwab Gym of the Boys & Girls Club at 1112 NW Circle. The meeting begins at noon with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. Attendance is free, and a lunch will be provided – $10 for members and $12 for non-members. For more information, see the City Club of Corvallis website at http://www.cityclubofcorvallis.org/.
by Johnny Beaver
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