KODIAK -- A long-awaited plan to build a new Kodiak ferry pier is expected to go out for bid this month.
A report issued by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says the department will advertise a request for survey, engineering and design proposals to rebuild Pier 1 by the end of February.
Construction bidding is not expected until next year.
The transportation report and an accompanying engineering study update released last month are a tacit admission that the state has missed its original goal to provide a dedicated berth for both ferries that serve Kodiak.
"In a nutshell, the cards are just not on the table for funding," said engineer Kirk Miller, who has worked on the ferry project for five years and drafted the engineering study update.
Right now, the ferries Kennicott and Tustumena dock at separate locations on the city waterfront. In 2006, the city of Kodiak received $7.5 million from a federal earmark by Rep. Don Young to build a new ferry terminal.
The Alaska Marine Highway System began investigating options. It examined a site on the north shore of Near Island, sites in the Near Island channel, on the St. Paul Harbor breakwater and in Womens Bay.
The Near Island site appeared to be the best option but in April 2008, the Kennicott made a trial approach and its captain found insurmountable problems.
"He considered the location safe in only the mildest weather and discouraged further consideration of the Near Island site," the engineering report says.
With Near Island out of the picture, engineers turned to a terminal built to the west of the St. Paul harbor breakwater, which would require an access road.
That site could host both the Tustumena and Kennicott safely but cost was an issue. Proposals for the site ranged between $20 million and $30 million.
With both preferred alternatives out of the picture, the state fell back on the status quo. The Kennicott will continue to dock at Pier 2, while Pier 1 will undergo a $7.1 million renovation to replace the 50-year-old timber structure with a modern steel and concrete one.
It isn't yet clear whether the project will include changes to the terminal building. Miller said that will depend on funding, though engineers want to move the building to improve traffic flow.
Miller said the experience of hunting a terminal alternative was frustrating but will generate some positive changes. The St. Paul Harbor terminal remains an option if funding can be found and Pier 1 will be renovated to support another 30 years of use.
"We almost pulled it off," Miller said. "But in the long run, the city of Kodiak will still be well served."
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