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Port of Alaska modernization update: Terminal 1 work, pile plans, protected‑species mitigation and multiple grants previewed
Summary
Port of Alaska staff and contractors updated the committee June 18 on Terminal 1 demolition and North Extension work, permanent piling plans (about 186 permanent pilings), a confined bubble curtain to reduce noise impacts on beluga whales, a new electrical substation project, and multiple upcoming Assembly items including EPA subrecipient agreements and a $1.75 million PIDP grant.
Port of Alaska officials and contractors gave a comprehensive update June 18 on the Port of Alaska Modernization Program (PAMP), covering construction progress at Terminal 1, environmental mitigation measures, upcoming procurements and multiple grant and contract items that will appear before the Assembly.
Terry Amatam, director of the Port of Alaska, and contractors from Jacobs and Port engineering showed photos and timelines of active Terminal 1 demolition, staging of 72‑inch temporary pilings and permanent pile driving scheduled to start in July. Port staff said a total of about 186 permanent pilings are planned for Terminal 1 and described efforts to reduce the number of temporary piles where possible.
Contractors described precast deck elements arriving from Washington and equipment staging at the North Extension laydown yard. To mitigate underwater noise during permanent pile driving and protect the endangered beluga whale, staff showed a "confined bubble curtain" system that will be installed around pilings during driving operations. Port staff noted temporary piling permits do not require the curtain but permanent piling installations do.
The port also previewed the electrical substation project that will supply new gantry cranes. Design is underway with 65% design expected at month end and construction of the substation foundation planned for later this summer. A North Extension helipad procurement was announced and will be paid from existing federal PIDP funds for NES‑1.
Port staff previewed several Assembly items scheduled in coming meetings: two one‑year IDIQ project management/construction management contracts (AM399‑2026) for maintenance and ongoing port infrastructure; subrecipient agreements tied to an EPA grant with Launch Alaska (AM400‑2026) and GTI Energy (AM401‑2026); and a $1,750,000 PIDP grant to support the new substation (AM393‑2026 / AR 2026‑165). Staff also described a change order under review to add a third storm‑drain scope into a single contract so the grant can be fully utilized; that change order may come forward for action in early July.
On a separate operational note, the Port reported a successful recent offload at the PCT facility that yielded lessons learned and increased operator confidence for future fuel offloads.
Staff closed by noting ongoing July procurement items (term contracts, corrosion protection, annual dock inspection) and pledged more detail on grant and change‑order proposals when returned to the Assembly.
