Army Awards $30M Contract to Repair Storm-Damaged North Jetty Near Ocean Shores

The century-old jetty protects the navigation channel for the Port of Grays Harbor, supporting regional jobs and commerce.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:06pm

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $30 million contract to Astoria-based Big River Construction to repair the storm-battered North Jetty near Ocean Shores, Washington. The century-old jetty protects the navigation channel for the Port of Grays Harbor, which is essential for the region's commercial shipping and maritime jobs. The repair work will replace displaced armor stone and rebuild sections of the jetty crest to ensure reliable access to the harbor.

Why it matters

The North Jetty is a critical piece of infrastructure that keeps the Port of Grays Harbor's navigation channel open for deep-draft commercial vessels. Maintaining this channel is essential for the regional economy, supporting jobs and commerce tied to the port's operations. Without the jetty, the harbor would be vulnerable to storm damage, potentially disrupting shipping and hurting local businesses.

The details

The $30 million contract will fund repairs along the jetty from the head to the tail, with crews using land-based heavy equipment to replace displaced armor stone and rebuild damaged sections of the jetty crest. The work will be performed as a small-business set-aside, with construction teams expected to access the jetty from Ocean Shores Boulevard. The Army Corps has agreed to cover any pavement or right-of-way repairs needed due to the heavy truck traffic.

  • The Army Corps awarded the repair contract on March 5, 2026.
  • Construction is expected to stretch across multiple building seasons, with a target completion date of November 1, 2029.

The players

Big River Construction

An Astoria-based construction company that was awarded the $30 million contract to repair the North Jetty.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency that awarded the repair contract and will oversee the project to shore up the storm-damaged jetty.

Port of Grays Harbor

The regional port authority that relies on the North Jetty to maintain a navigable channel for commercial shipping, supporting local jobs and commerce.

Ocean Shores

The coastal city near the North Jetty, which will coordinate with the Army Corps and the port on public outreach and traffic control measures during construction.

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What they’re saying

“Maintaining this channel is essential for the regional economy, supporting jobs and commerce tied to the port's operations. Without the jetty, the harbor would be vulnerable to storm damage, potentially disrupting shipping and hurting local businesses.”

— Leonard Barnes, Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director

“We will try to stage the work to keep disruptions manageable, but residents should be ready for increased truck traffic on Ocean Shores Boulevard while stone is delivered to the jetty.”

— Scott Andersen, Ocean Shores City Administrator

What’s next

After receiving the formal notice to proceed, the Army Corps, Port of Grays Harbor, and City of Ocean Shores will coordinate public outreach and traffic control measures before construction begins.

The takeaway

This project highlights the critical role that the North Jetty plays in supporting the regional economy and maritime jobs tied to the Port of Grays Harbor. By investing $30 million to repair the storm-damaged structure, the Army Corps is making a vital investment in the long-term economic health of the community.