Coos Bay Rail Line rehabs 37 timber bridges

The Coos Bay Rail Line has completed a $2.3 million rehabilitation project on 37 timber bridges along its line, which is owned and operated by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay.

The port contracted Scott Partney Construction to complete the bridge work. Engineering firm Stantec Inc. will conduct the final inspections, port officials said in a press release.

The 134-mile short line provides connections to the North American rail network for manufacturing operations in Oregon's Coos, Douglas and Lane counties, and for marine terminals in the Coos Bay Harbor. Ten shippers use the rail line to move cargo daily.

In total, there are 121 bridges along the entire line, with timber making up most of the structures. The project included replacing identified timber bridge bent caps, timber bridge stringers and timber bridge deck ties; performing structural repairs or reframing of identified timber bridge bents; furnishing and installing ballast at timber bridge approaches; and surfacing and tamping of track at timber bridge approaches.

The project was funded by an Oregon Lottery-backed bond grant awarded in 2013.

“This project is important not only to the rail line, but to the economic health of the southwest Oregon region,” said Rick Adamek, Port of Coos Bay project manager.