According to a press release sent to Alaska Beat by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, Knik Construction of Anchorage has been awarded a $31.9 million contract to build a harbor for the Aleutian island of Akutan. This project is separate from the recently reported $75 million airport and hovercraft port to be built on a small island close to Akutan.
The contractor will build two breakwaters and dredge an entrance channel and mooring basin to serve the fishing fleet attracted by the island's Trident Seafoods processing plant (the largest in North America). Currently, Akutan does not have protected moorage for the fleet despite commonly having rough water.
The new harbor's total cost is split between the federal government and the Aleutians East Borough. The federal portion, $28.6 million, comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Aleutians East Borough, the local sponsor, provided the remaining $3.27 million and will establish a 40-acre conservation easement near the project to mitigate impact to wetlands and fish streams.
The Corps' statement says it is spending ARRA money as quickly as possible in order to help put local contractors to work and help in the nation's economic recovery.
"We are moving quickly to get this money into the hands of the people who will create jobs while simultaneously working to ensure the best use of these Recovery Act funds," said Brig. Gen. Mark W. Yenter, commanding general and division engineer for the Corps' Pacific Ocean Division.