NOAA Breaks Ground on Project to Rebuild Agency’s Ketchikan Port Facility

Federal, state, and local officials joined NOAA at a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of a project to revitalize the agency’s port facility in Ketchikan.

“Building back better with climate-resilient infrastructure is what this NOAA facility revitalization project is all about,” says Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, who attended the ceremony. “The investment we are making in partnership with the state of Alaska will help ensure that NOAA can continue to support safe navigation and commerce in Alaska efficiently and effectively for years to come.”

NOAA awarded an $18.7 million contract in April 2021 to Alaska-based Ahtna Infrastructure & Technologies to make major improvements to the facility. The project includes the construction of a new office building, floating pier and access bridge, and updated power and water utility systems for servicing visiting ships.

Upon completion of the project, NOAA will have a fully functioning homeport in Alaska capable of supporting Ketchikan-based NOAA Ship Fairweather and other visiting NOAA and government vessels. NOAA expects the project to be completed by December 2022.