Construction to begin on Whittier Harbor boat ramp

Ken Smith/Turnagain Times Several boats dock near the East boat ramp in Whittier Harbor. A new boat ramp is being built and is expected to be completed by the end of winter 2010. The next phase of construction calls for adding about 30 new slips to accommodate vessels over 30 feet.

By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times

The East boat ramp of Whittier Harbor will be replaced shortly. The $2 million project, funded by the State Dept. of Fish and Game, will expand the ramp from two lanes to three. The ramp will eventually be the single access point for all boats entering the harbor because plans call for the demolition of the West boat ramp during the next phase of harbor expansion.
The East boat ramp construction will start this winter and is expected to be completed by the end of the winter of 2010.
“All work will be conducted in winter, so we don’t shut down the harbor in summer,” said Mark Earnest Whittier City Manager.
The next phase of construction plans for rebuilding boat slips allowing for larger vessels. The current boat slips were built in the 70’s and 80’s and are too small for boats over 24 feet. The goal is to build about 30 large vessel slips.
“The new slips will be much larger to accommodate larger boats,” said Earnest. “We have about 90 slips sized for 24 foot boats. There are fewer boats of that size. Most boats are too large. With the expansion, you lose capacity but will compensate for the reduction in slips with safer, more efficient slips. Right now two boats are sharing one slip because the slips are too small.”
Before new slips can be built, however, funding must be secured for the estimated $7 million project.
In addition to larger slips, new facilities will be built along the shoreline including a new building for offices for the Harbormaster and Coast Guard.
And while one major project is ready to begin another is nearly completed. The first section of paved road to Shotgun Cove is almost finished.
Earnest said a one-mile stretch of road to the First Salmon run by Cove Creek should be done within the next six weeks. The road is the first step towards opening up developable land that is on city and privately owned land as well as land owned by Chugach Alaska Corporation.
The first mile of road mainly goes through privately owned land held by individuals, said Earnest.
He said an engineering study is currently being done for the city to adopt a plan for the eventual sale of lots for both residential and commercial development.