October 20, 2026 3:05 a.m. 

On Monday, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined U.S. Representative Val Hoyle to announce nearly $205 million in federal funds for the Coos Bay Rail Line Upgrades Project in support of the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project.

A release from lawmakers said this funding will go towards final design and construction of critical upgrades to address capacity and reliability, improve system and service performance of the Coos Bay Rail Line, and ensure the upgraded rail line will be able to sustain the PCIP’s proposed ship-to-rail connection.

Senator Merkley said, “As Speaker of the Oregon House, I helped save the Coos Bay Rail Line because I saw how critical the Port of Coos Bay was to all those who call Oregon’s rural South Coast home.” Merkley said, “Congresswoman Hoyle, Senator Wyden, and I have worked together to secure this transformative federal investment. The grant will bring us closer to the Port of Coos Bay becoming the first fully ship-to-rail port facility on the West Coast.”

Senator Wyden said, “What great news for the South Coast and all of Oregon that the teamwork with Senator Merkley, Congresswoman Hoyle plus state and local officials has produced such a massive federal investment in this innovative rail project.”

Representative Val Hoyle said, “We’re thrilled to see this game changing $205 million investment from the DOT to upgrade the Coos Bay rail line.”

The release said this latest funding to the Port of Coos Bay comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, which supports projects that modernize America’s freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure to move people and goods.