PORT OF ASTORIA
EAST BASIN CAUSEWAY The Port of Astoria owns and operates two mooring basins: the West Mooring Basin, near the Port of Astoria piers and offices, and the East Mooring Bason on the east end of Astoria. The East Mooring Basin has faced many challenges over the last decade. The causeway, which provides access to the docks, has been shut down since 2018 due to structural issues. While the East Mooring Basin is still a popular site for boat launches, the moorage slips have been under utilized as a result of the closed causeway and difficulties caused by sea lions inhabiting the area. With the causeway fenced off, boat owners have been using workaround measures; often taking a dinghy from the shore to their vessels. On the afternoon of September 21st, a portion of the East Basin causeway collapsed into the water. Fortunately, as the causeway had been shut down to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, no injuries occurred. In fact, Port management had been working on a plan to demo that particular stretch of causeway due to the poor condition. Plans had already been in the works, but instead of the planned demolition and clean-up, a crew was sent to remove the fallen debris from the water. This project started on September 27th and was concluded by early October. The Port has been working on a plan to fully rehabilitate the causeway and open it back up to the public. Some materials were purchased in 2019 with the intention of rehabilitating approximately 200 feet of the 875-foot structure in 2020. Unfortunately, due to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was put on hold. Since that time, the Port has been working on the pursuit of grant THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM
funding to rebuild the entire causeway. A $10 million project proposal has been submitted to the State of Oregon’s Connect program to help fund the rebuilding of the causeway, along with dredging of the East Basin. Several other projects are also in the works to make major structural repairs and improve upon waterfront real estate owned by the Port. At the same time, the Port is facing challenges that affect revenues, starting with the exit of Astoria Forest Products; at the time the Port’s largest customer; in 2019, and most recently with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic shutting down cruise ship travel, which had replaced log exports as another main revenue source. Grant funding has become a keystone in the Port’s plan to repair failing infrastructure and invest in improvements that will bring in new revenues, promote development and growth, and contribute to the region’s economy. 15
