Port of Coos Bay close to reopening swing-span bridge to rail traffic

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay announced the Coos Bay Rail Line swing-span bridge will be turned and tested this week.

After a scheduled inbound vessel passes today, the port will move the bridge to the open position for railroad traffic. The bridge will remain open for two days to allow for necessary alignment of the north and south railroad approaches, port officials said in a press release.

The bridge will move to the open-to-maritime traffic position on Friday. Port officials anticipate additional testing of the bridge's electrical and mechanical functions could take up to 10 days before returning the structure to fully operational status.

During the testing period, the Coos Bay Rail Line will keep stakeholders informed to accommodate vessel traffic, port officials said.

The bridge has been shut down to rail traffic and under repair since a structural failure occurred in April 2018. The bridge is critical to the infrastructure of the Coos Bay Line, which links Oregon products to the national rail network and the port's deep draft harbor.