Project Overview
The City of Seward’s boat launch ramps in the south and northeast harbor had exceeded their original design lifespan and no longer met modern boaters’ operational, safety, and access needs. The adjacent 3.5-acre gravel parking area at the northeast location contributed to congestion, user conflicts, and high maintenance costs. Faced with these risks, PND provided comprehensive engineering services to replace the launch ramp and upgrade the uplands parking facility.
PND delivered two separate projects that included full project development, from site investigation and community engagement through final design, permitting, bidding, construction administration and full-time on-site inspection during construction. PND provided these comprehensive engineering services to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) Division of Sport Fish in collaboration with the City of Seward. The project was delivered through ADF&G’s Recreational Boating Access Program using federal funds sourced through taxes on sportfishing gear and motorboat fuel (Dingell-Johnson Act Funds). The completed projects provide modern, durable launch ramps and reconfigured parking facilities that meet current boating standards, improve safety and circulation, reduce congestion, and support access at all tidal levels. Our team also incorporated stormwater treatment features to protect Resurrection Bay, meeting Alaska Clean Harbors standards and ensuring long-term environmental stewardship.
Our Role
- Civil Engineering: designed updates to the launch ramps, uplands parking facility, traffic circulation, and stormwater treatment systems
- Structural Engineering: engineered precast concrete ramp planks, timber floats, trestles, and gangway systems to meet modern boating standards
- Contract Administration & Construction Support Services: assisted in construction bidding, on-site inspection, and engineering consulting to ensure project quality and compliance
- Environmental Consulting: secured environmental permits to protect Resurrection Bay
Improving a Local Harbor Through Thoughtful Design
PND’s approach to the Seward Harbor upgrades centered around durability, safety, and user experience. In a challenging waterfront environment, our early efforts focused on detailed site investigations, numerous design options, and close coordination and communication with project stakeholders. Public involvement was particularly important, allowing PND to incorporate direct feedback from boaters and community members into the final design.
For the northeast harbor launch ramp, we solved persistent traffic congestion and safety issues at the existing launch ramp by separating launch activities from fish cleaning operations through a new trestle, gangway, and landing float. Our additional design enhancements improved traffic patterns, increased launch capacity, and enabled launch access at all tidal levels. The new uplands parking area now supports large trailers up to 50 feet long.
PND’s strict quality control standards and consistent communication with stakeholders throughout inspection, design, and permitting ensured our operational improvements design provided a high-quality, efficient facility that better serves City of Seward’s boating community.
Acres
of newly paved and striped asphalt surfacing at NE location
Foot-long
parking stalls for trailers
