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| Aerial diagram shows existing port (top) and the proposed configuration (bottom).CH2MHill / Municipality of Anchorage |
Back in 2003, the municipality began its first attempt at revamping the port, located on the eastern bank of Knik Arm just north of downtown Anchorage. Officials selected a design known as “open cell sheet pile” to essentially create new land to the north of the terminals. Giant hammers drove long sheets of steel into the Knik Arm seabed that would connect in a series of overlapping U-shapes. The front of the cells would create a new dock face and the area behind would be filled with gravel.
But the plan didn't work. Inspection revealed that some steel sheets had bent, jammed and separated during installation. Construction was halted by 2010 with the structure about one-third built.
Of the $439 million reserved for the port project, about $300 million was spent. Now the municipality has roughly $130 million left to begin the process again.
"I think it’s going to be pretty tough to come up with another $350 million,” said Assembly member Patrick Flynn. “But I’m not sure we have a choice.”
More @Alaska Dispatch
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