Woodland port leases last section of Columbia River access for heavy industry

The leases each state the companies will eventually pay $900 per acre a month, but for now the port will start charging the companies a quarter of that rate as they conduct studies needed before construction.

Once construction starts, the port plans to raise the rate to $450 a month, and then the full amount once the facilities opens.

Wray-Keene said Granite expects the upland development construction phase to take less than a year, but development of the in-water dock may take longer, as the company reviews the types of vessels needed to use the facility over the next several decades.

Granite plans to provide construction materials for infrastructure projects across Southwest Washington and the Portland Metropolitan area.

Brad Estes, senior vice president of construction materials at Granite, said the company plans to use up to 40% recycled asphalt pavement and reduced truck trips and petroleum products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the construction of the terminal.

Though the site is expected to host between three to five jobs, Wray-Keene said the increased access to construction products is expected to drive up commerce across the region. The port has additional property on the water. Austin Point, a 200-plus-acre site further south at the confluence of the Lewis and Columbia rivers, is also being eyed by the port for recreational development.