May 31, 2019

The Coos Bay Swing Span bridge has now been successfully opened to rail traffic.  The completion of this repair project has re-established connectivity from the North Spit to Coos Bay. Maintaining rail connectivity is vital to support movement of trade, help shippers remain competitive, support jobs along the line, and foster future business opportunities. 

In mid-April 2018, the bridge was rendered inoperable when two center support columns failed. The Port immediately notified local maritime stakeholders and rail shippers. Rail connectivity between the Port of Coos Bay and Eugene is critical for the economic well being of many businesses in the area, and within two weeks, the Port set up a transload facility on the North Spit with the help of Jordan Cove LNG who provided the transload site (truck to rail). This ensured rail shippers south of the bridge the option to continue to use rail to transport their goods to market.  

The main repairs include replacing the center structural columns and bracing and repairing the electrical mechanical system bringing the bridge back to working conditions.  The Port has future capital improvement plans for the 100-year-old Coos Bay Swing Span bridge and those will be part of the bridge rehabilitation project made possible by the federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant the Port received in December of 2018