Contract awarded for federal port facility in Ketchikan

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A federal agency says it has awarded a contract to rebuild its port facility in Ketchikan, work state leaders called overdue. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday an $18.8 million contract had been awarded for the project, which includes upgrades such as a new office building, a floating pier and revamped utility systems for use by visiting ships. The agency says the existing pier will be removed. The project is set for completion in December 2022. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office says the poor condition of the existing site has prevented the research vessel Fairweather from being based there since 2008.