HomeMy WebLinkAbout03022022 PACAB LAYDOWN - AKRR Dock Replacement Project220302 PACAB
LAYDOWN
Seward Passenger Dock
Replacement Project
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (APPQ seeks
to replace the existing passenger dock and associ-
ated terminal facilities within APPC's land reserve
in Seward, Alaska. The initial project will construct
a new dock, provisional passenger terminal facili-
ties, and associated upland improvements. Future
project elements will include constructing a new
permanent passenger terminal building.
Purpose and Goals
The project purpose is to replace the existing
passenger -related marine infrastructure. Project
goals include:
• Replace the existing cruise passenger terminal
— including dock, building, and upland facilities —
to permit continued passenger marine dockings
in Southcentral Alaska.
• Provide opportunities for new entrants into the
market.
Feb. 24
2022
Project Background
Built in 1966, the existing Passenger Dock is a
pile -supported pier dock with a concrete deck. It
measures 736 feet long and 200 feet wide. The
dock provides support and moorage space for
freight vessels and non -cruise vessels during the
visitor off-season.
The dock's pile foundation has experienced
significant corrosion over its half -century lifespan,
which limits the dock's remaining useful life and has
resulted in weight restrictions.
PROJECT FACTS
The Dale R. Lindsey Alaska Railroad
Intermodal Terminal building is located
on the northern end of the Passenger
Dock. The 26,555 square foot, steel -
framed rectangular structure features a
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SF,WARD
flexible layout and a capacity accommodating up to 1,675
people.
Outside of the cruise ship season, terminal building
space is available to rent as a venue for sports practice,
community festivals, conferences, weddings and other
celebrations or events. Traffic staging to support cruise ship
activities takes place in a five -acre area north of the termi-
nal. The area is used for loading and unloading passengers
and luggage from buses and trains.
Adjacent to the existing terminal is the 35-year-old coal
loading facility. Its primary purpose was to unload coal from
ralcars, convey the coal to storage, and load coal into bulk
ships for international export. This facilty has not operated
since 2016 and there are no current plans to bring it back
into operation.
In 2015, AP PC initiated the Seward Marine Terminal
Expansion Planning Project (also known as Railport Seward)
to consider current and anticipated long-term needs at
the Alaska Railroad's Seward Marine Terminal. The project
included three studies — Passenger Traffic, Freight Traffic
and Transportation Connectivity. Completed in 2017, these
studies resulted in a Master Plan supporting development
Project Scope
The project includes these components:
• A new passenger dock capable of berth-
ing two cruise ships measuring from 80 to
1,080 feet long, and provide for off-season
freight vessel operations.
• Provisional cruise passenger facilities to
provide for interim embarking/disembark-
ing of cruise passengers after the existing
on -dock building is demolished.
• A cruise passenger terminal building with
an open space capable of accommodating
anticipated cruise passenger traffic for the
next 50 years.
ALA�KA
RAILROAD
strategies to meet current and future
demand.
Within the Master Plan, APPC consid-
ered several different passenger terminal
replacement concepts. The plan recom-
mends replacing the aging dock, and constructing a new
passenger terminal building and associated facilities.
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Seward marine master planning considered harbor,
railroad docks
and uplands, and roadway connectivity.
The existing dock and terminal building serve as an intermodal hub, with bus, train
and marine connectivity. The dock structure is nearing the end of its useful life.
• Construction logistics will be phased to minimize interruptions to cruise and rail passenger traffic between May and
September during construction.
Seward Passenger Dock Replacement • Page 2
PROJECT F�AC Y' S
Cost and Funding
The Master Plan -recommended full build -out concept is
now estimated to cost $79 million.
In 2019, the State of Alaska awarded about $4 million
in FY20 Designated Legislative Grants with money drawn
from the Commercial Passenger Vessel Excise Tax revenues.
These grants are being used to fund planning, design and
project management costs that precede construction.
Project Schedule
ALA�KA
RAILROAD
In January 2022, the ARRC Board of Directors autho-
rized the railroad to pursue up to $60 million in funding
through ARRC's statutory authority to issue bonds, subject
to state legislative approval, to complete dock design and
construction. ARRC is evaluating potential funding sources
for the permanent passenger terminal building.
The project schedule reflects short- and long-term infrastructure objectives:
Seward Passenger Dock
February 2022 — Request for Proposals (RFP): Solicit proposals for a progressive design build concept and plan for the
passenger dock.
March 2022 — Proposal Due Date: Proposals due from interested parties. The project team will review proposals to de-
termine the most qualified contactor, best -suited plan to meet project goals, while comparing efficiencies and costs.
April 2022 — Notice to Proceed with Pre -Construction Phase: Selected contractor will be directed to perform
pre -construction phase activities.
May to September 2022 — Finalize Pre -Construction Phase: Finalize design, obtain environmental approvals, and
negotiate selected contractor's submitted construction services cost proposal.
October 2022 — Notice to Proceed for Construction Phase
April 30, 2024 — Substantial Completion Deadline: Project progress is sufficient to accommodate berthing of at least
two vessels at the dock.
April 2025 — Final Completion: The dock is complete and ready for full operation.
Provisional Passenger Facilities
February to August 2022 — Design Building: Design provisional passenger terminal building.
October 2022 to April 2023 — Construction: Construct provisional facilities to accommodate passengers for the
summer 2023 cruise season.
Cruise Passenger Terminal Building
TBD — Design and construct a permanent passenger terminal building (s) to accommodate cruise passenger activity.
For More Information
• Visit the ARRC website's Projects section for more information on the master planning effort — www.AlaskaPailroad.com >
CORPORATE > Projects (Seward Capital Projects dropdown)
For public comment or inquiry, use Public_Comment@akrr.com or call ARRC's Regulatory & Corporate Communications
Officer Stephenie Wheeler at (907) 265-2671.
Seward Passenger Dock Replacement • Page 3