Spur demolition begins at Port of Nome as city lines up $1 million match

Demolition of the spur at the Port of Nome has begun, Port Director and Project Manager Joy Baker told the Nome Port Commission on Thursday, and the city has locked in $1 million toward its share of the federal construction cost. The spur comes out to clear the way for a causeway extension in 2027.

"Kiewit has started removing armor stone off the top of Desperre, and we've had a couple of meetings out there on site with them talking about traffic control, access for the trucks," Baker said. Trucks are turning off Causeway Road onto a purpose-built ramp to stockpile removed rock on the beach. Port staff now meet with the contractor daily or every other day on haul plans.

The Nome City Council approved an amended Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation lease at second reading Monday, covering the lot between the freezer plant and harbor office. On signature, NSEDC transfers $1 million for a 19-year lease paid in advance, counting toward the city's cost share. Baker listed a $1 million Denali Commission contribution and $300,000 from an adjacent property owner, with roughly $1 million still unresolved.

Alaska Marine Lines' final freight barge of the season arrives between Sept. 23 and 26, which Baker said would be the hardest test yet of sharing the dock with construction.