The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District has awarded a USD 399.4 million contract to Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. for the first phase of the Port of Nome Modification Project, which will establish the United States’ first deepwater Arctic port.
Table of Contents
Key Highlights:
- Project: Port of Nome Modification – Phase 1A
- Location: Nome, Alaska, United States
- Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District
- Contractor: Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. (subsidiary of Kiewit Corp.)
- Contract Value: USD 399.4 million
- Duration / Completion: Expected completion by September 2029
- Contract Scope: Extension of causeway, new dock section, road construction, and breakwater removal
- Future Phases: Causeway extensions, deepwater basin, additional dock, breakwater, and bridge construction
Phase 1A of the project includes:
- Construction of a 1,200-ft-long extension to the existing causeway with layered aggregate and 18-ton armor stone.
- Addition of a 600-ft-long sheet pile dock section and a 30-ft-wide road.
- Removal of a 250-ft-long spur breakwater and an underlayer of rock and 22-ton armor stone.
Kiewit, a subsidiary of Omaha, Nebraska-based Kiewit Corp. (ranked No. 3 on ENR’s Top 400 Contractors), was the sole bidder for this firm-fixed-price contract.
Strategic Impact
The Port of Nome, originally built in 1917, is being expanded to accommodate larger vessels and support growing Arctic shipping activities. Vessel traffic in the region has nearly doubled in recent years, with 665 ships traversing the Bering Strait in 2024, up from 340 in 2016.
The expanded port will improve maritime access, regional resiliency, and long-term economic growth, while also enabling the U.S. military, cargo carriers, and cruise ships to operate more efficiently in Arctic waters.
Future Development
Planned future phases include:
- Extension of the causeway by 2,284 ft and addition of 1,870 ft of dock.
- Creation of a deepwater basin (40-ft depth) compared to the current 22 ft.
- Construction of a second 2,410-ft causeway, an 800-ft dock, a 1,450-ft breakwater, and a 130-ft bridge.
Procurement for Phase 2 is expected to open in May 2026, followed by Phase 1B in 2028 and Phase 3 in 2030.
Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, Commander of the Corps’ Alaska District, emphasized the importance of the development, stating:
“A robust and efficient transportation hub at Nome is foundational to the long-term viability of surrounding communities in the region.”
Phase 1A is scheduled for completion in September 2029.
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