Lillian VestOregon approved a $100 million investment in the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project. The public-private project will establish a container terminal in the Port of Coos Bay that will directly link ocean freight to inland markets by rail.
The estimated total project cost is $2.3 billion, including the planning, design and construction of a new container shipping terminal, as well as channel deepening and rail improvements. The $100 million investment will specifically support the design and pre-planning phase.
Project officials anticipate the project will generate over 2,600 construction jobs, 2,500 permanent direct jobs and 8,000 total jobs across construction, logistics, warehousing and small business sectors. Upon completion, the Coos Bay Rail Line will directly load cargo arriving at the Port of Coos Bay. This line connects to the Union Pacific’s mainline in Eugene, opening access to Midwest markets and beyond.
PCIP is a top infrastructure priority for Southwest Oregon and lawmakers expect it to generate over $59 million annually in state income tax revenue to fund essential services like schools, roads, libraries and public safety.
The project will be the first new container terminal developed in the U.S. West Coast in decades, boosting shipping capacity and providing another avenue for regional and international trade. It’s expected to benefit multiple industries, including agriculture in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, manufacturing in the Columbia Gorge and export operations across the western United States.
Alongside state funding, PCIP has also secured federal support through several U.S. Department of Transportation grants. While the initiative is in the early stages, officials expect the project to be completed within the next five years.
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