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N Seward Passenger Dock
Replacement Project
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC)
seeks to replace its aging passenger dock and
associated terminal facilities within ARRC's
land reserve in Seward, Alaska. The project
will construct a new floating dock, passenger
terminal facilities, and associated upland
improvements.
Purpose and Goals
The project purpose is to replace the exist-
ing passenger -related marine infrastructure.
Project goals include:
• Removal of existing fixed passenger dock
Replace the existing cruise passenger
terminal - including dock, building and
upland facilities to provide continued
passenger marine docks in Southcentral
Alaska.
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(i Royal Caribbean Group
Project Scope
The project includes the following
components:
Removal of existing fixed passenger dock.
• Construction of a new passenger dock
which will be a floating double -berth pier,
spanning 100 feet in width and 748 feet in
length, complemented by a 200-foot-long
transfer span providing for passenger
loading and unloading during high or low
tides for the next 50 years..
A 68,000 square foot cruise terminal with
indoor space capable of accommodating
anticipated cruise passenger traffic.
Facility parking improvements
enhancing lot safety with forward -only vehicle
movement pattern and parking for both cars and
motorcoach/buses.
ARRC, the Seward Company and City of Seward are
submitting an EPA grant application that will allow
for the installation of shore power capable berths
significantly reducing or eliminating air emissions from
ships.
Cost and Funding
In 2019, the State of Alaska awarded approximately $4
million in FY2O Designated Legislative Grants with money
drawn from the Commercial Passenger Vessel Excise Tax
revenues. These grants were used to fund planning, design
and project management costs that precede construction.
Right: Design of new
floating dock and 13 acre
upland facility.
Below: APRC's Seward
Passenger Facility design.
Above: The existing dock and terminal footprint.
PROJECT FACTS
In 2022, the Alaska Legislature authorized ARRC to
issue revenue bonds to support replacement of the dock and
terminal up to $60 million. In response to construction inflation
and scope changes, in 2024 ARRC requested approval for an
additional $75 million in bond authorization from the Alaska
Legislature to complete the project by 2026. The cost for
the floating pier design and passenger facility is $137 million.
The revenue bonds will be secured by a 30-year customer
agreement with anchor tenant Royal Caribbean Group.
Project Background
Completed in 1966, the existing Seward 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.
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 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 terminal. The area is
used for loading and unloading passengers and luggage from
buses and trains.
In 2015, ARRC initiated the Seward Marine Terminal
Expansion Planning
Project (also known
as Rai/port 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
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strategies to meet current and future demand, including
expansion of the adjacent Seward freight dock and
demolition of the defunct and inoperable coal loading
equipment at the Seward mooring dock. Within the Master
Plan, ARRC considered several different passenger terminal
replacement concepts. The plan recommends replacing the
aging dock, and constructing a new passenger terminal
building and associated facilities.
To support replacement of the Seward passenger dock
and facility, ARRC, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) and
The Seward Company designed and developed plans to
replace the outdated pier and modernize the passenger
infrastructure. ARRC's bonds would be secured through a
long-term use agreement with RCG as anchor tenant and
create a dock and facility with a 50-year lifespan.
Top: Underside of the Seward passenger dock, photo taken in Sept. 2023, showing significant corrosion and
age. Bottom: Seward passenger dock with cruise ship at berth.
Seward Passenger Dock Replacement • Page 2
PROJECT FACTS
Project Schedule
Seward Passenger Dock and Passenger Facility
January 2024 - Local developer The Seward Company approached ARRC with
a proposal to redevelop the Seward passenger dock and terminal
July 2024 - Agreement to Development Terms
January 2025 - Uplands construction
September 2025 - Marine demolition of existing dock and begin installation of
a new floating dock
April 2026 - Cruise ship operations at the new dock
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For More Information
• Visit sewardcompany.com to see additional project information.
• 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 or call (907) 265-2449.
Conceptual designs of the Seward passenger dock and facilities.
Royal Caribbean Group
Q Apr. 2026 - cruise operations
at new dock
Q Sept. 2025 - demo and
installation of new dock
Q Jan. 2025 - uplands
construction begins
Q July 2024 - agreement to
development terms
Co Jan. 2024 - project
development offer
Seward Passenger Dock Replacement • Page 3