The Oregon legislature approved $10 million for the Port of Coos Bay to continue rehabilitating the 134-mile Coos Bay rail line. The Georgia Ports Authority recently unveiled a new mobile command center from which the port could manage its entire operation in case of an emergency. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker announced nearly $13 million in Harbor Assistance Program grants for dredging and repair of dock facilities.  

Coos Bay: Oregon Legislature Approves $10 million for Bridge Rehabilitation on Port-Owned Rail Line

The Oregon Legislature voted July 15 to allocate $10 million for the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay to continue rehabilitation of the 134-mile Coos Bay rail line. 

The port has already invested nearly $31 million to rehabilitate the rail line. This additional investment will help the port comply with new bridge load-rating protocols set by the Federal Railroad Administration. These new requirements must be met within five years at an estimated cost of $58 million. The state’s investment assures the port can continue with the necessary repairs.

The Coos Bay rail line closed in 2007, and was re-opened in October 2011 following its purchase by port for $16.6 million in 2009. The line is serves Southwest Oregon businesses that depend on rail for shipping freight – including, but not limited to, wood products, steel and dairy feed – in and out of the region.

Georgia Unveils New Mobile Command Center

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) recently unveiled a new Mobile Command Center (MCC). The MCC is a deployable unit from which the GPA can manage its entire operation. 

In the case of a hurricane or any other natural or man-made disaster the new unit ensures that data is safe and port operations can continue. The MCC is part of GPA’s hurricane preparedness plan.

"With our location on the East Coast, we know it is important to be prepared for storms that might affect our operation," said Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "Creating this Mobile Command Center through a partnership with our Port Police and Information Technology teams is one way we can assure our business partners that their information is safe and their cargo will continue to move in the most efficient way possible immediately after – and sometimes even during – an emergency situation." 

The 53-foot-long MCC consists of sections dedicated to security and information technology. They include three Port Police workstations and 11 general access workstations along with the crucial computer systems required to resume operations in case of a disaster. 

The MCC cost just over $1.5 million and was paid for in part through Port Security Grants funded by the Department of Homeland Security. Federal money covered 75 percent of the project and the GPA invested 25 percent. The GPA also invested additional funds in the data center replica.

Wisconsin Gov. Walker Approves Nearly $13 Million In Harbor Grants

Gov. Scott Walker on July 10 approved Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) grants totaling $12.9 million for eight harbor maintenance and improvements projects in Wisconsin. The funds will be used to dredge waterways in Manitowoc, Oconto, Racine and the town of Washington; and make repairs to dock facilities in Green Bay, Milwaukee and the town of Washburn. Grant recipients include:

• Town of Washington (Door County) – $5,182,933 for dredging the federal navigation channel between Northport and Detroit Harbor from 14 feet to 17 feet, and widening the western edge of the channel by 20 feet to 170 total feet.
• Noble Petro, Green Bay – $2,285,957 to improve barge dock facilities for shipment of petroleum products at the Port of Green Bay.
• Southwind Marine, Milwaukee – $1,955,864 for dockwall repair and construction of a drydock facility on the Kinnickinnic River.
• City of Oconto – $1,520,278 for dredging the Oconto River to improve access for a yacht business and commercial fishing.
• Racine County – $700,000 to dredge a marina at the mouth of the Root River.
• Town of Washburn (Bayfield County) – $500,000 to repair steel bin walls that support marine travel lift operations at Washburn Marina.
• St. Mary’s Cement Company, Manitowoc – $475,990 for dredging the Upper Manitowoc Harbor to restore full shipping capacity in the federal navigation channel.
• City Centre, LLC, Manitowoc – $278,978 for dredging the Upper Manitowoc Harbor to allow access for larger vessels.

Created in 1979, Wisconsin’s Harbor Assistance Program helps harbor communities maintain and improve waterborne commerce. Since the program began, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has administered nearly $112 million in matching funds for more than 80 port preservation and improvement projects along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.