Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Representative Mary Sattler Peltola, announced significant investments for port and maritime infrastructure in Alaska. Six coastal communities are set to receive over $104 million in grants this year, aimed at improving ports, harbors, and docks across the state.

These funds are sourced from annual appropriations and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which allocated $2.25 billion over five years to the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). The total available funding for these projects is $500 million, combining $450 million from the IIJA with an additional $50 million from the FY24 Appropriations Act.

Senator Dan Sullivan emphasized Alaska's unique challenges due to its geographic isolation. "As I often say, Alaska is a resource-rich but infrastructure-poor state," he noted. He highlighted efforts to adapt cost-benefit analyses within the PIDP to better serve Alaska's needs. "Through my work on the Senate Committees on Commerce and Armed Services, we’ve already had great success securing major investments in some of these projects."

Senator Lisa Murkowski stressed the importance of efficient ports for Alaska's supply chain: "With so many communities across the state inaccessible by road, ports are essential." She expressed gratitude towards the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for their investment efforts.

Representative Mary Peltola pointed out that these improvements would have a region-wide impact: “Port improvements are necessary and vital if we are to improve and protect our state infrastructure.” She noted that this funding would create jobs and enhance life in communities like Dillingham, Hoonah, and Saint Paul.