Site work and paving for a transportation facility in Anchorage, Alaska. Completed plans call for site work for a transportation facility; and for paving for a transportation facility.

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2024/02/25/port-of-alaska-sees-surge-in-cement-and-fuel-shipments-a-positive-sign-for-construction-and-air-cargo/ New figures from the Don Young Port of Alaska show that unusually high amounts of cargo moved across the dock last year, a potential sign of growing activity in key economic sectors, port representatives said. A surge in cement shipments indicates a potential rise in construction activity while air cargo continues to soar at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, requiring jet fuel, said Jim Jager, a spokesman with the port. Consumer purchases recovered from the pandemic years, also helping power the numbers. The port is vital for economic activity statewide. It's the nexus for half the freight shipped into Alaska, and for food and other products consumed by 90% of the state's population, according to the port's website. Nearly 155,000 tons of cement moved across the docks last year, about one-third higher than the year before, the data shows. The cement shipped across the dock is the most since at least 2007, the data shows. About 80% of the cement used in Alaska moves through the port, Jager said. Cement is not made in Alaska because it's not economical in the state's small market, he said. The port doesn't know what specific projects the cement will be used for, he said. The port records cargo tonnage only in broad categories, such as "dry bulk," which in Alaska is nearly all cement, he said. He said 2024 also looks like it will be "another big cement year" for the port, Jager said. ADVERTISEMENT Four ships carrying cement have typically arrived in the past, he said. But five cement ships came last year, and five are projected to arrive this year, he said. Alaska economists in January forecast that economic growth in the state this year will be driven by big projects involving the oil and gas industry and the federal infrastructure bill, though a worker shortage will constrain growth. [Anchorage will see employment grow slightly this year, with construction projects statewide growing, report says] Work at the Pikka and Willow oil fields, the largest discovered in Alaska in decades, will help buoy construction, economists said in the Alaska Economic Trends report produced by the state. The companies behind the oil projects have begun spending billions of dollars to develop them. Cement is used to seal oil wells and prevent blowouts. It's the main ingredient in concrete. Jonathan Hornak, senior project manager with Cornerstone General Contractors in Anchorage, said cement suppliers might be anticipating the need for concrete in major projects such as a new $200 million cargo facility at Anchorage's international airport that includes building parking spots, or hardstands, for jumbo jets. A $300 million runway extension at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is also a likely reason for the large shipments, he said. Overall, 2024 will be a busy year for construction in Alaska, he said. Excluding fuel shipped by pipeline for storage in tanks at the port, just over 4 million tons of fuels and cement moved over the docks in 2023, the figures show. It was one of the busiest years for the port, which opened in 1961, Jager said. The amount of petroleum products that moved across the dock last year was also unusually high, at nearly 2.3 million tons. "2023 was the highest-ever petroleum across the dock," he said. The driving source of those products is jet fuel for aircraft at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Jager said. The airport last year rose to become the world's third-biggest cargo airport, behind Hong Kong and Memphis, Tennessee. Cargo jets refuel in Anchorage, a pit stop that lets them carry less fuel and more of the valuable cargo they're paid to haul. Food and consumer goods that Alaskans buy at stores also saw increased movement through the port last year, to levels not seen since 2019. Nearly 1.7 million tons of those products moved across the dock last year. They're in the category called "vans/flats/containers." The trend reflects growth in consumption since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in 2020, when tourism in Alaska fell sharply and some construction projects were put on hold, Jager said. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This project has not yet been awarded. A timeline for award has not yet been established. Request for Proposal (RFP) to extend Runway 16/34 to support an increase in safety and operational capabilities and accommodate the FAAs increased opposite direction operations restrictions at JBER. The project will require significant earth movement, both cutting and filling, to extend the runway and comply with guiding UFC 3-260-01 criteria. The runway extension requires the construction of two supporting taxiways, shoulders, overrun, an EOR/arm disarm pad, rerouting Airlifter Drive and updating additional airfield lighting per UFC 3-535-01. The estimated dollar magnitude of this project is anticipated between $150,000,000 and $250,000,000. The performance period will be approximately 1250 calendar days. This project is scheduled to be incrementally funded between FY22, FY23 and FY24. The resulting contract will be firm-fixed priced. The procurement will be conducted using source selection procedures and the award will be based on best value tradeoff source selection procedures, considering the price and non-price factors cited in this announcement and the solicitation. There is no stipend authorized for this procurement. Offerors are advised that a contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to availability of funds. Should Congress not appropriate the funds, the solicitation will be cancelled. If the project is cancelled, all proposal preparation costs will be borne by the offeror. All Offerors are advised that this project may be canceled or revised at any time during solicitation, selection, evaluation, negotiation and up to final award. *The value for this project is based on a financial range. The value is listed as the highest possible cost from the range provided by a stakeholder or official project document.