Funding Coos Bay roadwork construction projects 

by North Jones and Zechariah Lake 

Coos Bay is a medium-small city with a population of about 15 thousand that has a small budget for city planning. 

City planning is deciding what projects to undergo and the editing layout of the city when needed.

This small budget leads to not being able to afford projects such as the boardwalk project and makes it troublesome to improve and fix the town. 

“On an annual basis we have just a little over three million dollars for

In the past, Coos Bay has had a lot of construction projects, all requiring a lot of money.

Not too long ago a project in the Empire area was completed, they were redoing some of the old roads.

This project cost over two million and eight hundred thousand  dollars and added sidewalks, street lights and the new road.

Luckily the city got a grant to undergo this project and could use their annual budget on other projects.

More recently the city was also able to redo about three blocks around City Subs restaurant on 4th Street.

“It wasn't too long ago when the city redid 4th Street by City Subs up

to almost the fire department, just those 3 blocks were 2.3 million dollars,” Craddock said. 

Numerous projects have happened in the past all requiring a lot of funding from the city and outside sources. 

"In Coos Bay there are 130 lane miles of asphalt road in addition there are 14 miles of concrete street," said Craddock.

A lot of their funding goes into fixing the lighting, potholes, employing people and keeping them employed. 

"I think the ongoing project currently is going to be Front Street," Craddock said. The Front Street project is going to take about four years to complete. 

 "Connectivity options to the Coos History Museum, Coos Bay Village, and the downtown core" The Coos Bay blueprint of the Front Street project says it will help people get around easier. 

The City Planning Department is responsible for potholes and other smaller projects throughout the year. These projects are to help the people of the city.

Coos Bay city has a limited budget each year so be patient when dealing with problems.

If you have a problem, you can contact them at rcraddock@coosbay.org 

Photo by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives