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Cold Bay AMHS Ferry Terminal Reconstruction

Project # SRMBS00608

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), under the direction of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), launched a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) in 2025 for the purposes of replacing the aging public dock to improve accessibility, ensure public safety, and safeguard vessel moorage, while maintaining essential public services in Cold Bay, Alaska.

The EA process informs project development by determining the significance of potential environmental effects of a proposed federal action, resulting in either a determination to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact. This project is fully funded by a MARAD Port Infrastructure Development Program discretionary grant to DOT&PF.

Currently, the Cold Bay dock is nearing the end of its serviceable life and risk of failing. The new dock would be designed and built to accommodate commercial use, freight and fuel transportation, private vessel use, and public uses like emergency medical services and public transportation through the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).

DOT&PF is proposing improvements that include the following:

  • Construction of a new pile-supported dock and an adjacent mooring dolphin
  • Fendering around the perimeter of the new dock
  • Demolition of old facility

The project is anticipated to be constructed using both over-water and sea-based operations. The total project duration is approximately 18 months, with pile driving and in-water work requiring approximately 12 months. Physical construction is anticipated to commence in May 2028.

Construction phasing and tasks are listed below on the table.

Phase Tasks
Mobilize to Site
  • The contractor will mobilize the necessary equipment and personnel.
Install Trestle

Installation of the trestle will likely progress from shore, seaward to the dock location sequentially by span.

  • Install temporary work trestle and pile driving templates
  • Drive and proof foundation pile
  • Remove templates and template support piles
  • Install precast concrete caps
  • Set trestle superstructure
  • Grout deck joints and place and cast-in-place concrete in closure pours
Install Dock
  • Install temporary work trestle and pile driving templates
  • Drive and proof foundation pile
  • Remove templates and template support piles
  • Install precast concrete caps
  • Set precast concrete deck panels
  • Grout deck joints and place and cast-in-place concrete in closure pours
  • Install on-dock appurtenances (bullrails, ladders, cleats, bollards, etc.)
Install Dolphins
  • Install pile driving template
  • Drive and proof foundation piles
  • Remove template and extract template support piles
  • Install pile caps
  • Set catwalks
Install Fendering
  • Install pile driving template
  • Drive and proof fender piles
  • Install fender panels
Utility Installation
  • Install onshore utility service as required
  • Install trestle supported service lines
  • Install dock-mounted headers and service connections
Existing Dock Demolition
  • Remove appurtenances and utilities located on the dock and trestle
  • Demolish and remove existing superstructure
  • Extract existing piles
Demobilization
  • All demolished existing materials staged on the uplands will be removed from the site

Contact Information

Please submit questions and comments to coldbaydock@pndengineers.com or contact a team member below.

Marine Design Project Manager
Nate Geary, P.E.
Phone: (907) 465-5883
Email: nate.geary@alaska.gov

Environmental Analyst
Whitney Hamilton
Phone: (907) 465-2490
Email: whitney.hamilton@alaska.gov

Regional Environmental Manager (Design)
Christy Gentemann
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Phone: (907) 465-4524
Email: christy.gentemann@alaska.gov

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