Feds to fund $104M worth of Alaska port improvements
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - More than $104 million is coming to Alaska to improve ports across the state, according to an announcement Friday from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.
The funding is part of plans from the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest nearly $580 million into 31 port improvement projects across the country.
Of the money coming to Alaska, $50 million is designated for a cargo terminal replacement project at the Don Young Port of Alaska, a terminal dating back to 1961. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured the port as part of a three-day tour of infrastructure projects in the state in August of last year.
“I remember visiting this facility when I was in Alaska last year, and you’ve got conditions there that you don’t see anywhere else in the world, from iron-eating bacteria to tidal variations of more than 20 feet,” Buttigieg said. “And this is a port that is, of course, vitally important for civilian life and has strategic and military importance for the United States. So it was clear that there was a need.”
Buttigieg says it’s all in an effort to strengthen supply chain reliability, reduce costs of every day items and lower carbon emissions.
“The cost of goods is especially high in Alaska because of what it takes to deliver things through shipping, air freight, or whatever combination gets things to where they need to be,” Buttigieg said. “When we have more reliable and greater capacity, that means it’s possible to move goods more efficiently and that contributes to the fight we’ve had to deliver disinflation, to bring prices back to a normal growth path.”
Five other ports in Alaska will share a pot of $54 million to make improvements.
“These smaller ports are vitally important for the communities that count on them every day,” Buttigieg said. “And so the investments going to Kodiak, to the island of Dillingham, Hoonah, Saint Paul, which is a big priority for for Sen. Sullivan and Juneau. Each has its own needs, and each is getting support through this program.”
Here’s a list from the Department of Transportation breaking down each Alaska project and its respective funding:
Cargo Terminal 1 Replacement Project
Municipality of Anchorage
PIDP Grant Funding: $50,000,000
The project will fund construction of a new general purpose cargo terminal at the Don Young Port of Alaska. Work funded by the grant includes demolition of the existing terminal, construction of the trestle and wharf structure, and related landside facilities and utilities.
Aurora Harbor Drive Down Float Project
City and Borough of Juneau
PIDP Grant Funding: $11,154,002
The project will build a drive down float and vehicle bridge, as well as procure two new 5-ton electric cranes.
Port of Dillingham Improvements Project
City of Dillingham
PIDP Grant Funding: $11,250,000
The project will fund the replacement of the Dillingham Boat Harbor float system and utilities, extend the north bulkhead dock, and add a new boat grid. The project also includes an environmental site assessment at a property adjacent to the harbor that is being considered for future development, as well as site improvements to the east waterfront such as grading and drainage and development of water and sewer utilities.
Marine Industrial Center Cargo Dock Project
City of Hoonah
PIDP Grant Funding: $9,429,201
The project adds new features to an existing cargo dock to include sheet pile closed-cell bulkheads, fender piles, and breasting dolphins. Additionally, the project will include a concrete roll-on roll-off (“RoRo”) ramp, fill, rocks, mooring fenders, bullrail, bollards, and cleats.
Saint Herman Harbor Moorage Expansion Project
City of Kodiak
PIDP Grant Funding: $11,250,000
Estimated Total Project Costs: $16,693,303
The project consists of adding additional berthing capacity in the Saint Herman Harbor for large commercial fishing vessels and support craft. It will add a new float “O” and extend float “P.” It will also include electrical upgrades to floats “M” and “N.”
City South Dock Renovations and New Berthing Dolphins Project
City of Saint Paul
PIDP Grant Funding: $11,025,219
Estimated Total Project Cost: $11,732,956
The project will renovate the City South Dock by installing new fenders; replacing and upgrading bull rails, ladders, and cleats; adding new 80-ton bollards; installing safety equipment; adding new mooring dolphins with energy-absorbing fenders connected by a catwalk; and includes all related design, engineering, and environmental activities.
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