Alternative port study in prince william sound

Federal Grant Award Summary

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities received a Formula Grant award of $640,000 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (CFDA 20.287), effective November 17, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2028. The award funds a comprehensive Alternative Port Study in Prince William Sound designed to evaluate the operational capacity and infrastructure readiness of the ports of Whittier, Valdez, and Seward to serve as alternative freight distribution hubs in the event of a Port of Alaska failure. The study will assess existing port infrastructure, surface transportation connections, and operational readiness to support regional supply chain continuity and port resilience planning.

This project delivers a strategic analysis product that evaluates critical transportation infrastructure redundancy for Alaska's regional freight network. The deliverables will include assessments of port capacity, intermodal transportation linkages, and operational contingency plans to ensure sustained supply chain functionality across the state's multimodal transportation system. The work will be performed statewide across Alaska and completed by the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2028.

Project description

This study will evaluate the capacity of the ports of whittier, valdez, and seward to serve as an alternative freight hubs in the event of a port of alaska failure. The purpose is to assess existing infrastructure, surface transportation connections, and operational readiness to support regional supply chain continuity.