Oregon International Port of Coos Bay officials and the contractor working on the renovation of the Coos Bay railroad bridge take a tour of the structure in March of this year. World File Photo

The Coos Bay Railroad Bridge will be out of commission five days a week starting Friday, while contractors complete the first stage of long-term repairs to the swing span.

The bridge, which will remain in its closed position, will not be open for ship traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday through Oct. 25. Deep-draft vessels will be unable to pass into the bay during that time.

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay said that to maintain marine cargo operations in the harbor, the bridge can be opened with 48-hour notice to the contractor, Osmose Railroad Services.

Notice must be provided to Jason Tweet, project manager, at (770) 335-3948.

The bridge will be maintained in the open position, which allows for ship traffic to pass, from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The port requested approval for special operations of the rail bridge from the U.S. Coast Guard, 13th District, in Seattle. The request was approved Sept. 17 and information about the operations also will be published in the Local Notice to Mariners, which provides navigation information and warnings to all vessel owners/operators.