Regional Issues

Rail

Port staff is continually working toward improving rail capacity to the Port. Whether it be on the main rail line or the corridor leading to the Port, an efficient rail system is vital to operations. In cooperation with federal, state and local governments, as well as partnering ports and private entities, the goal is to promote funding and support for projects that will increase rail efficiency.

River

The Columbia River is a freight highway that requires maintenance just like a paved highway. With many other rivers joining the Columbia and the ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean, the river bottom builds silt deposits that may obstruct the flow of goods from the River.

In 2010, the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project to deepen the shipping channel from 40 to 43 feet was completed. Research and funding for the project began more than 20 years ago and has resulted in a successful project with overwhelming benefits for the Pacific Northwest. The additional 3 feet allows vessels to load more cargo without dragging on the river bottom.

Although the initial deepening is complete, maintenance dredging will be necessary to keep the channel at 43 feet.

Learn more about the Columbia River channel deepening.

Jetties

With the channel deepening complete, focus now turns to the jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River. The jetties protect vessels entering the river, as well as prevent siltation from undoing all the hard work of the Channel Improvement Project.

Built in the early 1900s with minimal maintenance since, the structures are experiencing accelerated degradation from frequent and harsh storms.

Learn more about the Jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River.

top