HomeMy WebLinkAbout05072024 Planning & Zoning Laydown - Alaska Railroad1
I
RAILROAD
Seward Freight Dock Expansion
and Corridor Improvements
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) Seward
Marine assets include three operating terminals -
Material (coal) Loading Facility, Passenger Dock, and
Freight Dock.
Roadway Connection
ARRC’s three docks are accessed along Port Ave
nue. The project’s corridor improvement component will
extend Port Avenue through railroad property to con
nect to Airport Avenue. This roadway link will improve
traffic circulation in the Seward Port area, resolving
user conflicts and safety hazards. The connection will
also enhance access to Alaska’s highway system, allow
ing heavy commercial traffic to more directly intercept
the Seward Highway.
Project Scope
Freight Dock Expansion
ARRC is expanding its Seward Freight Dock by
lengthening the existing structure from 620 feet to
1,000 feet into deeper water, and includes a mooring
dolphin and catwalk 100 feet beyond the deck area.
The structure is designed to be widened from 200
feet to 320 feet along its entire length in the future.
Occurring entirely within ARRC’s land reserves,
expansion will improve freight intermodal operations
(ship-to-train, ship-to-truck or ship-to-barge). Expan
sion design will accommodate larger vessels and
more vessel types (freight, cruise, research, military,
fishing and barge). Design will increase terminal ca
pacity, improve loading and unloading efficiency, and
enhance safety by providing additional;
• Short and long-term berthing space.
• Capacity for simultaneous berthing.
• Capacity to service larger ships.
• Roll-on/roll-off compatibility.
• Secure cargo storage and staging/transfer
area.
Project Purpose
Project goals include:
• Expand terminal and vessel service to
accommodate growing freight cargo.
• Increase opportunities for freight rail business.
• Promote the region’s key industries.
• Provide essential transportation services to
Alaska’s rural communities.
• Promote port roadway safety and efficiency,
by allowing greater separation and safety
margins.
Project Background
Constructed between 2000 and 2002, the
Freight Dock was originally 200 feet wide by 620 feet
long. It is supported by a sheet pile bulkhead on the
west side, a riprap and armor rock fill slope on the east
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October 5
2023
PROJECT FACTS
RAILROAD
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reduced to address the available funds. The current scope was
approved by MARAD and will address the primary goals of the
project.
side, and a combination of the two on the south side. The
existing dock is outfitted with a series of fenders on the west
side. A catwalk and mooring dolphin were installed at the
end of the dock to aid in berthing vessels. The west basin
adjacent to the dock was dredged.
Dock expansion began in 2007 when ARRC widened a
section of the dock from 200 feet to 320 feet.
In 2017, ARRC completed an extensive Seward Marine
JerrnJnql Master Plan, supported by three studies, including
Passenger Traffic, Freight Traffic and Transportation Connec
tivity. The Master Plan provides a comprehensive analysis of
the port facilities, customer base, and services offered within
ARRC’s Seward Marine Terminal. The plan also identifies op
portunities for economic development from dock upgrades
and greater upland connectivity.
Environmental work and preliminary engineering for
the dock extension occurred in 2013 and 2014, laying the
groundwork for federal funding requests.
Project Cost and Funding
• Partial dock widening and fill (two-thirds of an acre) in 2007
cost $248,000, funded by ARRC.
• 2013-2014 dock lengthening environmental and preliminary
engineering budget of $1.7 million funded by ARRC.
• 2020, ARRC received notice of a $19.8 million Port
Status of Projects
In 2020, ARRC initiated the Seward Freight Dock and
Corridor Improvements Project through a federal Marine
Administration (MARAD) grant. Given COVID-19 financial
impacts (including money available for the grant’s matching
contribution) the project timeline was extended and scope The Alaska Railroad’s Seward Reserve and Marine Terminal include the
Loading Facility, Passenger (west) and Freight (east) docks.
Seward Freight Dock Expansion and Corridor Improvements • Page 2
PROJECT FACTS
RAILROAD
Marine terminal and upland development plans call for a widened and lengthened freight dock and port-to-airport roadway connection.
Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.
The grant will underwrite nearly 80% of the $25.3 million Seward Freight Dock and Corridor Improvements Project. The
$5.5 million match will be funded by ARRC and/or other non-federal sources.
Tentative Project Schedule For More
Information
2026 2027202420252023
Visit the ARRC website’s
Projects section for
more information on the
master planning effort
— www.AlaskaRailroad.
com > CORPORATE >
Projects (Seward Capital
Projects dropdown).
For public comment
or inquiry, use Public.
Comment@akrr.com.
^|9l|92 93 9493 94 91 92 93PROJECT SCHEDULE 91 92 93 94 91 92
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For more information, please visit: http://railportseward.com/
Seward Freight Dock Expaixsion and Corridor Improvements • Page 5