Coos Bay, OR. — A new $11.25 million federal grant will fund rail infrastructure upgrades on the North Spit of Coos Bay, advancing plans for a large-scale container shipping facility on Oregon’s South Coast.
The funding will support construction of a triplicate track and run-around section on the Coos Bay Rail Line, improving operational efficiency and preparing the corridor for increased freight capacity. The upgrades are part of the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Terminal Connection Project, a key early component of a broader port development effort.
The proposed PCIP would establish a 175-acre container terminal designed to move cargo directly from ships to trains, minimizing reliance on trucks. Project planners say this approach could streamline shipping logistics, reduce congestion on regional highways, and improve supply chain efficiency.
The port would be powered in part by electrified infrastructure, allowing ships to plug into shore-based electricity while docked, reducing diesel emissions. Plans also include significant upgrades to the Coos Bay Rail Line through Coos, Douglas, and Lane counties, strengthening connections to inland markets via Eugene.
Additional proposals call for deepening and widening the Coos Bay federal navigation channel to safely accommodate larger container vessels and improve access for maritime traffic.
The overall project is led by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay in partnership with NorthPoint Development. Total costs for the port, rail, and channel improvements are currently estimated at $2.3 billion, with more than $100 million already secured for planning and early design phases. Additional funding is still being pursued for construction.
The $11.25 million award was announced by Oregon’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle. Officials say the funding represents continued federal support for developing the project’s rail infrastructure and advancing the long-term vision for the port.
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