Coos Bay Rail Link, which operates a former Southern Pacific branch line in western Oregon, has been forced to close a vital swing span bridge near North Bend, Ore.

The closure leaves three customers without direct rail access, including one that accounts for 40 percent of the short line’s traffic. The North Bend Swing Span Bridge was built in 1914, and since the Port of Coos Bay bought the former SP line in 2009, it has invested over $25 million into the bridge ($15 million in the last five years). 

Recently, the bridge’s electrical power cable was damaged by a vessel, making both its swing mechanism and signal system inoperable. Port of Coos Bay officials said repairs will be costly, and they are currently collaborating with local, state, and federal officials to secure funding for the bridge repairs. Until then, rail traffic cannot cross it. Meanwhile, the railroad is working with the three customers south of the bridge to find ways to truck their products to the other side for loading onto rail cars. Although the Port recently received a $100 million grant for its proposed intermodal terminal, these funds cannot be used for bridge repairs. 

—Justin Franz