Garibaldi, Tillamook Bay Ports Receive Construction Grants

The ports of Garibaldi and Tillamook Bay have been chosen to receive grant funding from the state ConnectOregon program, which provides grants and loans to non-highway transportation projects promoting economic development throughout the state.

The Port of Garibaldi is slated to receive $1.6 million and the Port of Tillamook Bay will get $163,000.

The Port of Garibaldi’s funding goes toward reconstruction of its 72-year-old Commercial Street wharf, so that it can handle about 300 pounds per square foot, as opposed to the current 100 pounds PSF.

The full cost to reinforce the structure is estimated at $4.1 million.

The Port of Tillamook Bay’s grant funds will go toward the renovation of two runways at the port’s industrial park. The runways will be re-paved and narrowed by several feet on each side.

The industrial park was used as an air base during World War II.

The ConnectOregon funds match FAA grant money already in place, according to the Port of Tillamook Bay.

Since it was launched by the state department of transportation in 2005, ConnectOregon has funded more than 100 projects around the state. Previous recipients include the ports of Portland, Arlington, Morrow, Umatilla, Coos Bay, St. Helens and BNSF Railway, among others.

Port of Astoria Receives Pier Repair Grant

The Port of Astoria has received a $1 million state grant to resurface and repair the face of Pier 2, it announced June 19.

The project is to include removing wood covering 52,000 square feet on the east side of Pier 2, replacing parts of the support structure, laying down tin and rebar and reinforcing it with concrete, according to port property manager Mike Weston.

Pier 2 currently houses three fish processors and fish off-loading and fish net haul-out areas to support commercial fishing fleets. There’s also a dock that can accommodate vessels of up to 1,100 feet at the location, as well as a 71,800-square-foot on-dock warehouse.

The port is also in the process of seeking private investment dollars to help fund potential cold storage and cannery facilities at the location.

The $1 million comes from ConnectOregon, an infrastructure grant fund provided through the Oregon Department of Transportation to pay for projects in air, marine, rail, transit and other statewide projects. The money is part of a $40 million pool of lottery-backed bonds.

In addition to the grant, the port says it has budgeted an additional $250,000 to fund the resurface and repair project.