Review of Port Concludes Design is Unsafe

Analysis of Port of Anchorage "not good," according to assemblywoman

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Nov 9, 2012 at 6:53 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 7:25 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - A long awaited report on the Port of Anchorage is out and the news is not so good. Assembly members were briefed on Friday by engineers from CH2M Hill. The independent firm has concluded that the current design of the port expansion project is not only unacceptable but unsafe.

The study found flaws in the construction phase of the project and possible corrosion problems in the future. But even more troubling, it raised serious questions about whether the new additions would hold up in a big earthquake. Mayor Sullivan says it seems likely that at least some of the work will have to be torn out and rebuilt although he is hopeful there is a way to salvage a good portion of the project.

Sullivan won’t say who should be financially responsible for the fix, although it’s clear the issue is headed for the courts. Assemblywoman Jennifer Johnston, who heads the assembly’s port committee, says despite the troubling news, the project must go forward.

“Not good and it isn’t good, but we have to go forward,” says Johnston. “The main thing that is still in front of us is we have to finish the port.”

How the project will proceed may be answered in the months ahead. CH2M Hill is scheduled to release another report in February that will recommend several options as well as the cost associated with those.
Mayor Sullivan says he is looking forward to seeing it.
 

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