The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has completed repairs to the Coos Bay North Jetty, which will be commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.
Construction began in March 2023, with the final stone set this July.
The $84 million project included $34 million in disaster relief, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds.
The original jetty, which was constructed in the 1890s, lost over 1,000 feet of length since its original construction, retreating in some areas nearly 20 feet per year. The new structure features a modernized design that, according to Portland District Project Manager Marie Adams, restores navigation safety and supports commercial, private, and public vessels.
At the base of the jetty, workers rebuilt a wide layer of rock called a toe berm. It helps keep the jetty strong by spreading out the force of the waves and making them break earlier, so they hit with less power. At the far end of the jetty, builders also added a long spiral of stone that helps guide sand, protect the shoreline from washing away, and make it safer for boats to travel in and out. Altogether, the jetty now stretches about 4,900 feet — almost a mile long.
USACE modified the original structure in 1996 and deepened the entrance channel to Guano Rock to 47 feet, its upstream reach to 37 feet, and widened the turning basin at river mile 12 to 900 feet by 1,000 feet.
Trade West Construction (TWC), the prime contractor, finished physical construction of the jetty 15 months prior to the required completion date, returning the site to the public and the Bureau of Land Management.
“As a smaller firm with limited jetty experience, TWC relied on innovation and determination,” said Colter Bennett, district civil engineer and geologist. “They worked through two winters with no lost-time accidents, ahead of schedule and on budget.”
The crew delivered roughly 60,000 tons of armor stone using specialized equipment to navigate shallow water and large tidal swings. A total of 193,000 tons of stone was placed during construction — the equivalent weight of about 38.6 million 10-pound cats.
The project maintained public beach access during construction, with coordinated weekend and holiday openings. Temporary road closures occurred to ensure safety during stone placement.
“The fact that no injuries occurred is truly remarkable,” Bennett said. “Jetty construction is among the most dangerous work the Corps undertakes — crews are working with massive stone, heavy equipment, unpredictable tides, and powerful ocean conditions.”
The repair comes as USACE celebrates its 250th birthday. The restored jetty, a part of Oregon’s largest deep-draft coastal harbor, honors the Corps’ legacy and underscores its commitment to safe navigation. The project also reflects a Department of Defense a Portland District priority: resilient infrastructure that supports readiness, protects communities, and secures critical commerce along America’s coasts.
An important reminder: While these jetties are impressive structures, they are not safe places to walk or climb. The waves and tides can be unpredictable and dangerous. For safety, USACE asks the public to enjoy the view from designated areas and encourage others to do the same.