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Senator presses Corps on Port of Nome funding and schedule; Corps cites acquisition and contracting challenges
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Summary
An Alaska senator warned that limited FY2026 funding and contract delays threaten near-term progress at the Port of Nome. Corps witnesses said $250 million is available overall, the FY2026 request would fund next-phase engineering ($3 million), and the district is working through solicitations and bids before award.
A senator representing Alaska raised strong concerns about the Port of Nome, asking agency officials whether the project remains a priority and pressing for concrete action on solicitations, bids and physical work this season.
The senator said the administration’s FY2026 request appears to show only $3,000,000 and characterized that level as insufficient for a project the administration nominally lists as a priority. Acting Assistant Secretary D. Lee Forsgren confirmed that the Port of Nome “is a commitment” and that the administration included the project by name. Lieutenant General Graham said the Corps is “working through the solicitation right now and the bids” and that the $3,000,000 requested for FY2026 would advance engineering for the East Breakwater; he identified an existing $250,000,000 on hand that the Corps is using to pursue an award for the causeway extension contract.
The senator pressed witnesses for certainty that physical work—moving rock or other construction—would occur this year given short Arctic construction seasons. Graham said he would follow up with specifics about whether rock-moving would occur this season and noted the district’s optimism about advancing an award during the summer acquisition cycle.
What the hearing shows: witnesses reaffirmed the project is a Corps priority and described contracting steps underway; they did not commit to a specific construction start this season and agreed to provide the senator a written update on acquisition and schedule.
No formal actions were taken; the Corps committed to continue acquisition work, to seek an award for the causeway extension and to brief the senator on whether construction activity will occur this year.
