Alaska Railroad scores one of state's 7 federal grants for port projects

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy recently announced the state has secured more than $115.4 million in federal grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program.  

Seven port projects in Alaska were selected out of 37 nationally that obtained grants. Administered by the Maritime Administration, the program awards grants for projects based on safety, efficiency, port resilience and workforce development. 

“These investments will modernize critical infrastructure, improve safety and strengthen the supply chains Alaskans depend on every day,” Dunleavy said in a press release. 

Among the grant recipients is the Alaska Railroad Corp., which will receive $20.4 million to upgrade the rail tunnel connecting the Port of Whittier to the railroad’s mainline and purchase 30 new rail cars. 

Other grants include $38.6 million to the city of Skagway to construct a modern industrial dock with a freight ramp and integrated fuel header; $34 million Port Mackenzie to complete a 110-acre cargo laydown area, rail spur and barge dock improvements; and $4.1 million to the city of Whittier to design a replacement for the Delong Dock, the closest year-round deepwater port to Anchorage.