For Immediate Release: October 28, 2024
COOS BAY, OR – The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay announced a pivotal $29 million CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) grant dedicated to modernizing the Coos Bay Rail Line. This essential funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will bring much-needed improvements to a key stretch of Oregon’s rural transportation network, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the Port owned rail line.

Building on the recent $25 million INFRA grant, the CRISI award is a landmark investment in the Port of Coos Bay’s Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project. Together, these grants represent an unprecedented $54 million federal down payment on the future of Oregon’s South Coast—creating local jobs, improving supply chain reliability, and bolstering economic growth while preserving the state's commitment to environmental responsibility.

“This CRISI grant award is a transformative investment, allowing us to modernize the Coos Bay Rail Line and bring sustainable growth to the region,” said Melissa Cribbins, Executive Director of the PCIP project. “By enhancing this critical rail infrastructure, we’re fortifying supply chain resilience, promoting environmental stewardship, and building a more connected future for Oregon products to reach global markets.”

The CRISI program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, supports improvements to the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail infrastructure across the country. By investing in rural and underserved areas, CRISI funding plays a vital role in modernizing America’s railways. The Port of Coos Bay’s award marks a significant financial commitment to a region poised to become a strategic trade hub on the Pacific Coast.

The $29.7 million CRISI grant enables the design and engineering of comprehensive updates to the Coos Bay Rail Line, including track rehabilitation, updates to signals and communication systems, and critical reviews of tunnels, bridges and rail crossings. As part of a coordinated federal push for cleaner, more resilient supply chains, these rail improvements will support the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project, a state-of-the-art ship-to-rail container terminal currently under development by the Port of Coos Bay and its partner, NorthPoint Development.

Designed as the only fully ship-to-rail terminal on the West Coast, the PCIP project will efficiently connect Pacific trade routes to markets across the United States. The PCIP aims to create a seamless flow of goods while shortening global shipping times, reducing truck congestion, and cutting transportation costs and emissions.

“This couldn’t have happened without the persistent advocacy of Oregon’s entire Congressional delegation,” said Cribbins. “Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congresswoman Val Hoyle have been tireless champions of the PCIP, and their dedication was instrumental in delivering this funding. Bolstered by their leadership, the Port of Coos Bay is set to become a linchpin in the nation’s efforts to build a cleaner, more resilient, and more efficient trade infrastructure for years to come.”
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For media inquiries:
Matt Friesen
mfriesen@portofcoosbay.com