Commission Plans Resolution, Outreach Over Deteriorating Railroad Crossings

Members of the Roseburg City Commission used part of their meeting to press for stepped-up action on several deteriorated railroad crossings in the city.

Speaker 6 described repeated problems at crossings including ones identified as the Edith Bauer and Steed's locations, and raised concern that conditions have persisted for years. "At what point can we, or should we bring in the city council and the mayor, campaign to get get this done? It's as you know, it's been about 4 years now," Speaker 6 said.

Commissioners and staff discussed options. Speaker 1 suggested asking the commission to draft a resolution to forward to the mayor and city council; Speaker 6 agreed to prepare such a draft. Commissioners recommended publicizing the issue through the News Review, the Beacon and social media to solicit community input and to increase attendance at future commission hearings (Speaker 3 and Speaker 7 suggested Nextdoor or other social platforms).

No railroad representatives or company responses appeared during the meeting. Commissioners described repeated outreach to the railroad with limited progress and agreed to pursue a resolution and targeted publicity as the next steps.

Commissioners also noted other crossings of concern, including an area on Alameda near the airport, and agreed to consider whether the resolution should name multiple crossings or focus on specific problem sites. The commission did not take formal action against the railroad during the meeting; instead members directed follow-up work and publicity.