$104M AWARDED FOR ALASKA PORT PROJECTS
Coastal communities remain vital to flow of state resource industries BY TIM BRADNER SIX COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN ALASKA WILL RECEIVE MORE THAN $104 MILLION IN INVEST- MENTS FOR CRITICAL PORT AND MARITIME IN- FRASTRUCTURE. These grants, funded by both annual appropriations and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), will bene- fit port, harbor and dock improvement and development in communities across Alaska. The IIJA provided $2.25 billion in funds available over five years to the Port Infra- structure Development Program (PIDP), which is a key funding avenue for Alaska coastal communities. Funding for these grants was made up of $450 million from the IIJA with an ad- ditional $50 million provided in the FY24 Appropriations Act, for a total of $500 mil- lion in available funding. “As I often say, Alaska is a resource-rich but infrastructure-poor state. With more coastline than the rest of the United States combined, maritime infrastructure is criti- cal to our state,” said U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. “Due to Alaska’s geographic iso- lation, our residents have an increased reli- ance on port projects. These same projects are a challenge to fund as they often have higher costs to construct and serve smaller populations. That’s why I fought to change the law in the Port Infrastructure Develop- ment Program to ensure the cost-benefit analyses of these projects work for Alaska and port investments in our state. "Through my work on the Senate Com- mittees on Commerce and Armed Services, we’ve already had great success securing major investments in some of these proj- ects, like the Port of Alaska in Anchorage with supporting investments now totaling $169 million. These additional awards will
“The efficiency and capacity of our ports is integral to the prosperity of our coastal com- munities, as well as the state of Alaska as a whole." — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-Alaska
MARINE INDUSTRIAL CENTER CARGO DOCK (HOONAH): $9.4 million for an upgraded cargo dock to include sheet pile closed cell bulkhead, fender piles, breasting dolphins, concrete RoRo ramp, fill, rocks, and moor- ing fenders, bullrail, bollards, and cleats. SAINT HERMAN HARBOR MOORAGE EXPAN- SION PROJECT (KODIAK): $11.2 million to add additional berthing capacity in the Harbor for large commercial fishing vessels and support craft. It will add a new float "O" and extend float "P." It will also include electri- cal upgrades to floats "M" and "N." CARGO TERMINAL 1 REPLACEMENT PROJECT (ANCHORAGE): $50 million to fund construc- tion of a new general purpose cargo termi- nal at the Port of Alaska. Work funded by the grant will include: demolition of the ex- isting terminal; construction of the trestle and wharf structure; installation of termi- nal facilities, terminal finishes and land- side utilities; and mob and demob of the construction contractor. The budget also includes funding for tug support during construction, an operations contingency for the port, and an allowance for project cost escalation. CITY SOUTH DOCK RENOVATIONS AND NEW BERTHING DOLPHINS PROJECT (SAINT PAUL): $11 million to renovate the City South Dock. Project components include: new fenders; replacing and upgrading bull rails, ladders, and cleats; new 80-ton bollards; safety equipment; new mooring dolphins; a catwalk; and all related design, engineering, and environmental activities.
ensure we continue to build on that prog- ress. These grants are hugely beneficial to Alaska’s maritime economy and transpor- tation infrastructure, and will improve our supply chains.” “The efficiency and capacity of our ports is integral to the prosperity of our coastal communities, as well as the state of Alaska as a whole,” said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-Alaska. “With so many communities across the state inaccessible by road, ports are essential to our supply chain and distributing key resources that Alaskans need. I applaud the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for their substantial investments in a diverse range of improvements to port infrastructure in six communities across the state.” GRANT RECIPIENTS INCLUDE: AURORA HARBOR DRIVE DOWN FLOAT PROJ- ECT (JUNEAU): $11.1 million to build a drive down float and vehicle bridge, as well as in- corporate two new 5-ton electric cranes, to serve the commercial fishing fleet and im- prove freight transportation. PORT OF DILLINGHAM IMPROVEMENTS PROJ- ECT (DILLINGHAM): $11.2 million to fund the replacement of the Dillingham Boat Har- bor float system and utilities, extend the north bulkhead dock, and add a new boat grid. Work will include an environmental site assessment at a property adjacent to the harbor that is being considered for future development, as well grading and drainage at lots along the east side of the harbor and development of water and sewer utilities.
42
ALASKA RESOURCE REVIEW WINTER 2025
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker