3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
3.2.2.2.1 Specific facilities
Port MacKenzie
Existing facilities
As shown in Figures 3.10 and 3.11, Port MacKenzie is northwest of Downtown Anchorage
across the Knik Arm in the southern Mat-Su near Point MacKenzie. The port is being
developed as an intermodal freight facility with road and potential rail links to the north. Port
MacKenzie consists of a 500-foot partition dock located 850 feet from shore with 9,000 acres
of adjacent uplands that are available for commercial lease. A filter rock ramp adjacent to the
north wing wall is useable 2 hours before high tide until 2 hours after high tide for vessels
with ramps. This ramp allows heavy port equipment to be driven on and off the dock, which
has a gravel surface with a load capacity of 1,000 pounds per square foot. In 2005, a deepdraft
dock was constructed to accommodate Panamax-class ships to facilitate the export of
bulk commodities such as wood chips. A conveyor system was built from the uplands to the
deep water dock as a public-private partnership. It is being used to load wood chips on bulk
carriers and is available to move other commodities.
Planned improvements
The Port MacKenzie District has received $6.75 million of federal, state, and borough
funding to provide port offices and a ferry terminal, with commercial and work camp lands.
A master planning effort has been initiated to identify how the port lands should be
subdivided and parcels allocated by industry and use. Improvements are expected to attract
increased use by cargo vessels. In 2006, POA estimates that the facility would serve eight
Panamax-class cargo ships carrying wood chips and up to 100 barges carrying sand and
gravel.
Port of Anchorage
The POA, shown in Figures 3.10 and 3.11, is located in Upper Cook Inlet and occupies
approximately 129 acres. Immediately south of the POA are other port-related commercial
activities that occur on about 111 acres of land predominantly owned by ARRC in the Ship
Creek industrial area. The POA represents the major gateway for Alaska’s waterborne
commerce and plays a vital role in the regional economy.
Vessels can freely navigate up Knik Arm to dock at the POA. Ships berth at the POA during
high tide, unload and load their cargo, and then typically sail at high tide. The POA supports
load-on/load-off (LO/LO) container operations and roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) operations in
addition to handling petroleum products, cement, and other bulk carriers. In addition, the
POA receives anywhere from one cruise ship (during the 2006 summer tourist season) to
eight cruise ships (2003) per year. The number and frequency of cruise ship calls at the POA
are expected to increase.
The POA’s influence is felt throughout the region. The need for expansion has led to the
development of a Marine Terminal Redevelopment project. When completed, the project
would increase the POA’s capacity, efficiency, and security; provide capacity for
transportation of goods through the port to Anchorage and Alaska through 2025; and allow
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