Construction and Shipping in Alaska 2018
As a full-service freight forwarder to Alaska, we take a great interest in all that is going on in this great state, even, and especially, the day to day projects that are designed to enhance and strengthen the infrastructure of the state. Alaska Business recently posted an article detailing the projects that are slated to begin and finish during the 2018 calendar year. Here are some highlights.
Alaska Business 2018 Spring Construction Round-Up
New, ongoing, and planned projects statewide
Published: March 28, 2018M
Infrastructure improvements and ever-evolving design innovations keep Alaska’s engineers, architects, contractors, and sub-contractors busy year-round. The state’s climate, unique road systems, and resource development industries call for nearly-constant upkeep meaning there are always renovations, upgrades, and new builds happening statewide. The numerous projects (planned, in progress, or recently completed) in Alaska are presented in this Alaska Business Spring Construction Round-Up. The projects, submitted to Alaska Business by contractors, engineers, architects, and designers include infrastructure upgrades, housing developments, municipal improvements, and much more.
Roger Hickel Contracting
City of Palmer: Waste Water Treatment Facility Improvements
In Palmer, Roger Hickel is working on Waste Water Treatment Facility improvements totaling $9,514,000. The project began in June 2017 and is scheduled for completion in November of this year. Improvements include the addition of a two story 6,000 square foot control building and a new Moving Bed Bioreactor System. Involved parties include the project’s owner, which is the City of Palmer; the architect/engineer HDR; general contractor Roger Hickel Contracting; electrical sub Quality Electric; TEC PRO; and mechanical work by Superior Plumbing & Heating.
Eagle River Waste Water Treatment Facility Rehabilitation Phase 2
In the same region, Roger Hickel is the general contractor for the Municipality of Anchorage—Anchorage Water and Wastewater Facility (AWWU) Eagle River Waste Water Treatment Facility Rehabilitation Phase 2 in Eagle River. The project cost is $12,096,919 with a start date of June 2017 and scheduled end date of November 2018. Work includes modification and upgrades to the treatment facility. Involved parties include owner–AWWU; architect/engineer: Quincy Engineering; electrical sub: Quality Electric; mechanical: Superior Plumbing & Heating.
Ship Creek Water Treatment Facility Rehabilitation Phase 2
In Anchorage, Roger Hickel Contracting is the general contractor for the Municipality of Anchorage—AWWU Ship Creek Water Treatment Facility Rehabilitation Phase 2. The project cost is $8,970,369 with a start date of July 2017 and completion set for January 2019. The project includes modification and upgrades to the 38,000 square foot Ship Creek Treatment Facility. The project owner is AWWU, the architect/engineer is CDM Smith; electrical sub is Quality Electric; and mechanical work is being done by Norcoas Stantec.
North Pole Water System Expansion
Stantec is the engineer for the $52 million North Pole Water System Expansion in North Pole. The project commenced in February and is set to be complete in February 2019. The project will construct 181,000 feet—more than thirty-four miles—of insulated water mains to extend the public water supply to more than 650 properties within and surrounding the city of North Pole. The North Pole Water System Expansion project includes enlargement of the existing water treatment plant, a new 750,000-gallon water reservoir, and a new water system pump house. The project contractor is Exclusive Paving.
Aniak Airport Runway Shift
Also on Stantec’s project roster is the $39.9 million Aniak Airport Runway Shift. This Stantec-designed project will shift the entire 6,000-foot-long runway 260 feet laterally to comply with FAA safety requirements. Construction begins this spring, is set to be complete in 2020, and will include a new runway and new runway safety area; new taxiways; apron reconstruction; removal of obstacles and obstructions, including multiple buildings; relocation of 1,900 feet of road; a new maintenance building; design support of FAA NAVAIDS; drainage improvements; utility relocates; security fencing; and contaminated soil remediation. The project owner is DOT&PF and the contractor is Knik Construction.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: Gates B1, B3, and B5 Reconstruction
At Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Stantec is the engineer for the reconstruction of Gates B1, B3, and B5. The 6.9 million Stantec-designed project includes 14,000 square yards of concrete apron and 4,000 square yards of asphalt replacement as well as utility upgrades at each gate. Concourse B serves a variety of air carriers and the gates are heavily utilized during peak season (mid-May through September).Only one gate can be closed at a time, and all gates must be open during peak season. Additionally, only one gate can be constructed each year, and construction must start in March—prior to the normal pavement-construction season—and be completed by early summer. Gate B1 was completed in 2017, and construction starts on Gate B3 this month. The project began in 2017 and set to be wrapped up in 2019. Its owner is DOT&PF and the contractor is Roger Hickel Contracting.
Glacier Highway Reconstruction—Fritz Cove Road to Seaview Avenue, Juneau
This Stantec-designed project reconstructs about one mile of Glacier Highway from the Fritz Cove Road intersection to the intersection of Seaview Avenue in Auke Bay. Work on the $13.8 million project is set to be complete in August and will improve sightlines and reduce conflicting turning patters, while also improving the roadway’s shoulders and pedestrian crossings near Auke Bay Elementary School. The project includes roadway subbase improvement, widening, curve realignment, and surfacing. Pedestrian facilities, retaining walls, lighting, drainage, and guardrail are all part of the design. Construction progress in 2017 included curve realignment, subbase replacement, construction of multiple retaining walls, a new waterline, and utility relocations. A second phase, from the Back Loop Road roundabout to Seaview Avenue, will begin this spring. The project owner is Alaska DOT&PF; the contractor is Secon, and the engineer, Stantec.
Turnagain Marine Construction
City of Unalaska UMC Dock Position III & IV Replacement
Work on the Unalaska UMC Dock Position III and IV Replacement continues in Dutch Harbor. The project includes the installation of twenty-two open cell sheet pile structures, including 72,000 cubic yards of fill; an eleven panel fender system; water, sewer, storm, and fuel systems; 715 feet of added container crane rail; and 105,000 square feet of concrete pavers. To date work has been completed with little to no interruption of day-to-day port operations. Turnagain is currently finishing up Season 1, after meeting all of its February 1, 2018 milestones. Turnagain will begin Season 2 work this month.
The $35 million project was awarded to Turnagain in March 2017, construction began in June 2017, and the anticipated finish date is October of this year.
ALASKA AIR FORWARDING IS READY TO HELP
These do not represent all of the construction projects happening throughout the state but they do represent a few of the more significant ones. We know that these projects will require much planning and coordination as they get underway. Despite the most detailed plans, unexpected things happen that often require fast action in order to keep the project moving. When these unexpected events do happen, Alaska Air Forwarding will be at the ready, providing fast and cost-effective service that will keep Alaska’s construction projects moving forward.
