GHD Leads $470M Alcan Port Revamp in Remote Alaska

GHD, a global professional services company, is spearheading a $470 million design-build modernization of the Alcan Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Alaska. This undertaking, located 90 miles from the nearest community, represents a significant effort to upgrade federal infrastructure in one of the most challenging environments in the United States.

What Happened
The Alcan LPOE, positioned at Milepost 1221.8 on the Alaska Highway, serves as the primary year-round, 24-hour land crossing between Alaska and Canada. This critical border crossing, originally built in the early 1970s, is due for an upgrade to meet the operational needs of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the US General Services Administration (GSA). The project, a GSA Design Excellence initiative, is tasked with constructing a high-performance, resilient facility that addresses the unique demands of Alaska's northern climate. GHD is collaborating with RESPEC Company, LLC, with Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. as the design-build contractor. The project includes the replacement of aging port operations facilities and the construction of new infrastructure such as a main port building, inspection buildings, a firearms range, and housing units for personnel. The facility is targeting PHIUS CORE Passive Building Certification, emphasizing sustainability and energy resilience through renewable energy strategies and high-performance building systems.

What This Means for Your Business
For businesses in the architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing sectors, this project exemplifies the growing demand for infrastructure that balances sustainability with resilience to climate change. The Alcan LPOE modernization highlights opportunities for firms specializing in environmental services, renewable energy solutions, and high-performance building systems. As federal agencies increasingly prioritize sustainable and resilient infrastructure, companies that align with these goals may find enhanced opportunities for federal contracts. The project also underscores the importance of compliance with federal sustainability and resilience standards, such as those set by the GSA and CBP.

What US Operators Should Watch
Stakeholders should monitor the implementation of the PHIUS CORE Passive Building Certification and the development of renewable energy systems like solar power and microgrid controls. Additionally, tracking the project's alignment with federal sustainability goals can provide insights into future federal procurement trends. Businesses should also be aware of the operational challenges posed by Alaska's climate, such as increasing wildfire risk and extreme cold, as these factors may influence design and construction practices in other remote areas.

Source: https://zweiglist.com/one-of-the-most-remote-infrastructure-projects-in-the-us-takes-shape-in-alaska/