The Skagway port commission and assembly members had a first look at design options and cost estimates for the Gateway Project to expand the port.
It’s a big step in the ongoing project aimed at modernizing the ore dock and ship loader and provide more space with the port for more cruise and industrial traffic.
Project manager Dr. Chad Gubala and engineers presented the designs along with project engineers. There are four options ranging from basic modifications to what Gubala called the “Cadillac version” with a new ore dock.
The options range from about $10 million to $60 million dollars. The municipality has about $16 million in hand for the project from a combination of state funding and bonds. Planning commissioner John Tronrud said after the presentation that amount will probably only be enough to cover cleanup of the port.
Before dock construction or other Gateway work can begin, the municipality must remove contaminated soil at the port to meet state and federal environmental standards.
