Adam RollinsThe U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will allocate $72 million to benefit port, harbor and dock improvement and development along seven Alaskan coastal communities. The funding is a part of a $653 million investment in maritime projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). PIDP is a competitive program that supports projects that grow capacity and increase efficiency at seaports, Great Lakes ports and inland river ports.
The city of Cold Bay will advance a dock replacement project using $43.3 million in grants. The project will include a new dock and will provide financial support for surveys, geotechnical work and analysis, design, permitting and dock replacement.
A plan to expand and deepen the port of Nome will receive $11.2 million. The project includes constructing water and wastewater, fuel, power and communications infrastructure. The city plans to enlarge the port’s outer basin and create a new deep-water basin through dredging.
The borough of Yakutat will use $8.9 million to replace the existing 63-year-old small boat harbor. Plans include replacing the floating dock, stringers and steel pipe mooring piles. The project also includes installation of a fire suppression system and covered gangway. The existing seaplane float will be relocated.
The port of Metlakatla will receive $3.4 million for port improvements. Plans include installing a barge fender and batter piles, preparing for the replacement of breakwater infrastructure and repairing the boat haul-out mechanism.
The cities of Kotzebue and Wrangell will use the remaining funds for planning and engineering port construction projects. The plans include viability studies, feasibility and cost benefit analyses, permitting, environmental risk assessment and assessment of property bulkhead and utility extension requirements.
