By Stacia Kalinoski

EUGENE, Ore. -- The first major discussion of the Oregon Rail Plan since 2001 took place Tuesday.

State leaders began the public involvement process for updating the 25-year plan. With the recent allotment of federal and state stimulus funds, high speed rail advocates are looking for ways to improve passenger and freight rail.

"The assessment that the legislature gave me $2 million for is a collection of information we've never really had before. And although my inspectors have always inspected track and things, tunnels and bridges have always been a big question mark,"  ODOT Rail Division Administrator Kelly Taylor said.

Oregon recently received $8 million for three projects, and the next round of federal funding could come as early as this summer. But Taylor says that will require at least a 20% match from the state.