Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project: Transforming U.S. Trade Routes

The Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project, underway at the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, is poised to become a groundbreaking addition to the U.S. West Coast’s transportation infrastructure. Designed in partnership with NorthPoint Development, this port facility will provide a fully integrated ship-to-rail terminal—a first for the Pacific coast. This configuration allows for a seamless transition of cargo from ships directly onto rail lines, reducing the need for trucks and cutting down emissions significantly by using electric-powered cranes and plug-in berthing for ships.

The port's strategic location leverages Coos Bay’s naturally deep waters and proximity to the Coos Bay Rail Line, a key factor in its selection. Planned infrastructure improvements include widening and deepening the navigation channel and making extensive upgrades to the rail line, such as raising tunnel heights to accommodate double-stacked containers. This effort will enable Coos Bay to handle large, Neopanamax vessels that are crucial for modern shipping needs, thus increasing the West Coast’s overall capacity for container traffic—a long-standing issue magnified by recent surges in import volumes.

With a projected completion cost of $2.3 billion and an anticipated five-year timeline, PCIP is expected to create nearly 2,600 construction jobs and generate 9,400 jobs (both direct and indirect) across Coos, Douglas, and Lane counties. Additionally, the port is estimated to handle around two million containers annually, which will relieve pressure on other West Coast ports, making U.S. exports more competitive globally.

As a game-changer for Pacific Northwest trade, the PCIP project exemplifies how modern infrastructure can balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, providing a model for future intermodal facilities.
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For more details on this transformative project, you can visit the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay website