Alaska Business Construction Round-Up: State's third-largest industry stays busy with marine, transportation, facilities projects.

• Author: Bohi, Heidi
• Position: Building Alaska

Construction is the state's third largest industry and accounts for approximately 20 percent of Alaska's economy; like many others, the industry is feeling the pain of several years of low oil prices; however, spending on federal, tourism, fishing, air cargo, and transportation projects is projected to hold steady as construction projects continue statewide. Still, the industry faces challenges of its own that it must take into consideration with every project: maintaining sustainable development, being environmentally and culturally sensitive, and, as the fiscal environment remains unstable, taking into consideration increased stakeholder engagement. Included in this construction round-up are projects ready to commence, under construction, or recently completed.

New Harbor Development Phase I & II

Working with the City of Valdez, R&M Consultants is the design engineer of record for the $25 million, multi-phase Valdez Harbor Development project, a long-term waterfront development plan that optimizes the old and new harbor facilities to meet current and long-term development needs.

Phase 1 construction was complete in 2016 and included rock removal from Hotel Hill on South Harbor Drive and offshore fill and armor stone protection to create a ten-acre uplands area including access roads, drainage, pedestrian walkways and boardwalks, high mast lighting, and utilities services.

Phase 2 is under construction and includes the Upland and Inner Harbor Facilities. The work, which has been ongoing in 2017 and will continue into 2018, includes a 51,000-square-foot, 150-slip vessel moorage float system for 40-foot to 100-foot vessels; a 90-foot by 90-foot drive-down float, and 117-foot by 17-foot transfer bridge; and upland facilities, including a harbor maintenance building with office space, restrooms, and laundry facilities. Other upland improvements include a restroom building, a bilge water treatment facility, picnic areas, pedestrian amenities, and landscaping features. Pacific Pile and Marine is the general contractor for this phase of the New Harbor Development project.

Seward Marine Industrial Center Harbor Improvements

R&M Consultants is the design engineer for harbor improvements associated with the Seward Marine Industrial Center. Phase 1 includes a 1,000-foot breakwater, turning dolphin, channel dredging, shoreline erosion protection, and sewer and seafood outfall relocations. Phase 2 is in the design stages and includes repairs and improvements to a cellular sheet pile dock, expansion and widening of the travel lift dock, and a new heavy-duty moorage float. Phase 3 includes a new pile-supported dock, berthing dolphins, and other support facilities. Hamilton Construction is the general contractor of the $16 million Seward Marine Industrial Center Harbor Improvements project.

Biorka Island Dock Replacement

R&M Consultants provided design and permitting for the...