An allocation of $62 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will pay for repairs to the South Jetty in Tillamook Bay, Ore. by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The health of Tillamook’s economy goes hand-in-hand with the health of the port, and local residents and businesses should not be burdened by unsafe conditions caused by severely degraded infrastructure,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
“It is long past time we made critical investments in the safety and stability of South Jetty, one of Garibaldi’s major economic hubs, which is long overdue for crucial upgrades,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who worked with Merkley to secure the funds.
The senators noted that the degradation of the South Jetty has been a growing public health hazard in recent years, creating dangerous conditions in the navigation channel, leading to boats capsizing and multiple deaths and injuries. Without restoration of the jetty —the new project will allow for repairs to its head and truck—the communities surrounding Tillamook Bay are also at serious risk of major flooding, they said. The funds were announced in late January.
Mike Saindon, general manager of the Port of Garibaldi, said the agency has been working with partners and elected officials to secure funding. “Restoration of the Tillamook Bay jetty system is critical for the continued economic sustainability and growth of the entire region and safety of all commercial and recreational users of Tillamook Bay,”
he said.