After several decades, a failed ferry project, and an unfinished railroad connection, some are hopeful the near future may hold new developments for the Knik arm’s second port, Port Mackenzie.
, and an unfinished railroad connection, some are hopeful the near future may hold new developments for the Knik arm’s second port, Port Mackenzie . Between a couple of new projects at the Port, and renewed interest from the federal government, Port Director Dave Griffin believes “it’s only a matter of time” before they see increased traffic.
“Port McKenzie is doing business with the world and that’s one of the reasons we call it South Central Alaska’s gateway to the interior — and the world,” Griffin said. A new fuel terminal and “barge haul out facility” are planned for construction at the port, the latter funded by a U.S. DOT grant. Though, Griffin sees much more than that for the future, hoping to specialize not in container cargo — like the Port of Alaska just a mile and a half away — but in industrial bulk. “Whether it’s coal, mining ore, agricultural products, wood fiber, wood products,” Griffin said. “Any of those sort of bulk commodities, gravel, sand, can all come through Port Mackenzie.” Griffin’s optimism comes from increased interest in industrial development, such as the proposed gas pipeline, and claims for minerals like“As the state continues to develop, especially its mineral resources and metals, Port Mackenzie is the ideal location to bring those commodities,” Griffin said. One of the directives in the order is to “prioritize the development of Alaska’s liquified natural gas potential,” leading to discussion ofGriffin says Port Mackenzie could play a role in the development of that pipeline. “If that project gets greenlit and we move forward, we’re gonna be bringing in thousands and thousands of tons of pipe into the state,” Griffin said. “Ideally, we could bring that into Port McKenzie, put it on the rail and move it north.” As it stands though, the Port wouldn’t be able to do it. The problem? The rail connection that began nearly two decades ago, has yet to be finished. “We’re working on the Port Makenzie Rail Extension project,” Griffin said. “That’s a 32-mile rail connection from here up to Houston.” Griffin said the project as its stands is half completed, with rights-of-way acquired, licenses in hand, and all but seven miles of rail embankments laid down. The remaining portion of the project, however, includes the rail itself, and carries a total estimated cost of $275 million, according to Mat-Su Borough Manager Mike Brown. The state has invested $184 million in State legislative grants, according to Brown, and the Borough is eyeing a federal grant to secure additional funding. Brown believes that the federal government will make the grant they are targeting available in spring of 2026. For the remainder of the cost, the Borough is looking at a “public-private partnership,” where a private investor would foot some of the bill and help complete the extension. Still, the future of the connection is yet to be seen. “I truly think that completion of that rail extension is gonna unleash this Port’s potential,” Griffin said.Halong recovery: Residents dispute damage assessments as officials explore long-term optionsAnchorage man indicted on 6 murder counts in double shooting homicide downtown
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