Nome port expansion moves ahead with major contract—key step for U.S. Arctic presence

The United States has taken a major step toward establishing its first deep-draft Arctic port with the award of a $399.4 million construction contract to Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. for the Port of Nome expansion. The project has been mired by delays, which have set it back decades.

As reported by KNOM, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) selected Kiewit to begin Phase 1A of the Port of Nome Modification Project, a long-anticipated development in the Bering Strait region. The initial phase calls for a 1,200-foot extension of the causeway and about 600 feet of new dock face, along with adjustments to construction materials to keep costs under control.

The expansion is designed to transform Nome into the only deepwater Arctic port in the United States—a facility capable of hosting large commercial vessels, cruise ships and naval assets.

USACE Alaska District commander Col. Jeffrey Palazzini described the project as “foundational to the long-term viability of surrounding communities in the region.” Beyond serving Nome and dozens of smaller settlements that depend on its harbor for resupply, the port is expected to play a key role in scientific research and national defense.

Speaking at a Nome Common Council meeting Monday, Mayor John Handeland said that interest in the project was proof of the region’s potential.

“I think by the community and the activity and the plans, recognize that the Arctic is someplace where things are happening and that they need to be here,” Handeland said.

The project also carries significant economic implications, particularly for the U.S. critical minerals sector. Graphite One, which is advancing a large graphite deposit north of Nome, has emphasized that a modernized deepwater port is essential to moving ore and processed materials to global markets. As demand rises for minerals vital to batteries and renewable energy, Nome’s upgraded harbor could provide a crucial export route for U.S. supply chains.

The City of Nome, acting as the non-federal sponsor, will cover roughly 10 percent of costs. The full project is projected at about $500 million, though inflation and tariffs could drive that higher.

Once completed, the expanded port will anchor U.S. infrastructure in a rapidly changing Arctic, where thinning sea ice is opening shipping lanes and increasing geopolitical competition. Construction on Phase 1A is expected to begin in 2026, with full completion projected by 2029.