Construction work is done on the first phase of the small boat harbor expansion project, and the borough is pleased with the work despite a million-dollar dispute with contractor Pacific Pile & Marine.
Construction began on phase one of the expansion project in February 2017 after the borough agreed to a $13 million contract with Pacific Pile & Marine of Seattle. Work included filling the uplands parking area, dredging in the inner harbor, rerouting an underwater sewage outfall, constructing a steel breakwater and replacing moorage piles.
“I think the breakwater looks great,” said borough facilities director Brad Ryan. “The dredging was successful, there’s a big area for parking now and it seems to be functioning well.”
Harbormaster Shawn Bell said at the June 28 Port and Harbor Advisory Committee meeting that the borough is still waiting on paperwork from Pacific Pile & Marine to officially close out the project’s first phase, but otherwise work is complete.
However, the borough is headed for mediation with the firm next month in Juneau over a $1.2 million claim. Pacific Pile is seeking the additional funds for increased labor time and wear on its equipment, claiming the ocean floor was harder than described in contract documents for phase one work.
Phase two of the harbor project includes construction of a sport fishing ramp and upgrades to the parking lot. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has committed to funding both design and construction. Construction costs are estimated at $3 million to $5 million. The borough will see the designs from PND Engineers at 65 percent completion in August, and construction could start next summer.
“I’m looking forward to moving ahead with the sport ramp,” Ryan said.
He said there are a few parts of the design that Fish and Game won’t fund, like a concrete pad and utilities for a new harbormaster office. The borough is searching for funding for that portion of the work.