Environmental Review Wraps on Alcan Port of Entry Modernization Project
Photo Credit: AndriyPhotography
One of Alaska’s most important ports is nearly 200 miles away from the ocean. The Alcan Land Port of Entry is the only year-round, 24-hour, full-service port of entry serving commercial and noncommercial vehicle traffic where the Alaska Highway crosses the Canadian border. And it’s due for a facelift.
The US General Services Administration (GSA) recently released its Record of Decision that accompanies the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the expansion and modernization of the Alcan Land Port of Entry, clearing the way to begin the design phase.
Reducing Wait Times, Increasing Energy Efficiency
“The Alcan Land Port of Entry is a vital gateway for travel and commerce for Interior Alaskan communities,” says Sukhee Kang, regional administrator for GSA’s Pacific Rim Region. “Now that we have completed our environmental review, we can begin the work of designing the new port. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, GSA will deliver a state-of-the-art facility that will support economic vitality in Alaska while increasing border security. We are committed to delivering a modern, efficient and sustainable port at Alcan that will serve commercial and personal travel for years to come.”
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The project will enhance the port’s operational efficiency and capability, providing new, modern, and energy-efficient facilities. When completed, the port will be able to better address peak seasonal traffic volumes.
In the Final Environmental Impact Statement, GSA selected Alternative 1, Expansion and Modernization in Place, as its preferred alternative. Alternative 1 will provide dual-purpose inspection lanes as well as enclosed spaces for secondary inspection. A new main operations building will feature modernized technology that meets US Customs and Border Protection’s security standards. An updated residential campus will be separated from port operations to minimize risks to resident personnel and their families.
As the nearest town, about 40 miles up the Alaska Highway from the port of entry, Northway Village is a cooperating agency.
Under the alternative, an approximately 14,400 square-foot-area of previously cleared land on Airs Hill in the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge will be used as a dedicated helicopter landing zone. In addition, Alternative 1 will improve an existing hillside access road with safety features such as new guardrails on the hill’s steep sections.
Alternative 1 will incorporate a sustainable, climate-resilient design such that the modernized facilities will be net-zero emissions ready. The upgraded facilities are expected to bolster economic activity by streamlining trade and travel between the US and Canada.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 includes $3.4 billion for GSA to build and modernize land ports of entry nationwide. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes $2.2 billion specifically for low-embodied carbon construction materials.
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