Columbia River deepening key infrastructure project

A proposed deepening of the Columbia River has become one of the most important infrastructure projects in a generation, according to the Port of Portlands marine director Sam Ruda. Mr Ruda tells Port Strategy: Were always focused on the Federal Water Resources Development Act and annual federal appropriations bills for the Army Corps, and the federal SAFE Port Act and TWIC implementation efforts certainly have the potential to affect operations too, he explains.

“At the state level, we’re working closely with Oregon’s elected officials to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. A recent outcome of this was the ‘Connect Oregon’ transportation bill, which helped fund $100m in non-road transportation infrastructure.

“ConnectOregon funding will help the Port of Portland purchase a new post-panamax crane and build a new rail yard serving our largest industrial park and three marine terminals,”Mr Ruda explains. Two other issues being looked into at the State and Federal level include ballast water treatment and standardisation of chassis inspection and safety standards.

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