A Safe, Strong, Prosperous Future

s Alaska’s construction season ramps up, it’s time to refocus on the core priorities that shape our industry. From reinforcing our unwavering commitment to workforce safety, highlighting exciting opportunities, and recapping our recent advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., it’s safe to say we’ve been busy. But as everyone in the industry knows, “busy is good” and the work we do together paves the way for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for Alaska’s construction community.

First and foremost, safety remains our top priority. Each year we recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week. This year the campaign fell on April 21 through 25, and we were reminded of the critical need for heightened caution and safety in and around construction work zones. When you see orange cones, flashing lights, and flaggers, you’re not just passing through a work zone, you’re passing through someone’s workplace. These are the dedicated men and women who are building and maintaining Alaska’s infrastructure, often just feet away from moving traffic.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to respect these spaces and people working in them. Be safe, slow down, pay attention, and follow the rules. We all share responsibility in ensuring that every worker and every driver gets home safely at the end of the day. As we move into this busy season, I encourage you to promote a safety-first culture on every job site and every road you travel. Lastly, share this message with your family and friends—doing so could save a life.

I was pleased to meet with many of you at our recent Associated General Contractors, or AGC, of Alaska Agency Day in Fairbanks. It provided an excellent opportunity to hear directly from various agencies and to network with fellow members. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a great day filled with information and updates. You could feel the positive energy in the room, which bodes well for the future of our industry and organization.

During Agency Day, we received promising updates on projects poised to provide Alaska’s construction industry with a massive shot in the arm. First, progress made on the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s Ambler Road project is noteworthy. We learned that multiple Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) contracts for this significant infrastructure project are expected to be out for bid this year. The 211-mile road will provide access to almost 600,000 acres of state mining claims. Since 2020, more than $80 million has been invested in Alaska for this project. This project is estimated to create 2,777 direct jobs with $286 million in wages annually during mine construction and 360 direct jobs annually during road construction.

Additionally, the discussion around the Alaska LNG/Glenfarne natural gas project incited excitement amongst attendees. This effort to monetize Alaska’s vast North Slope gas resources while providing Alaskans with affordable energy would create countless opportunities for AGC members. The current plan is to build an 807-mile pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska, as well as facilities to process the gas into liquid for overseas shipment.

The project is planned in two main phases: Phase 1 focuses on building the pipeline itself, estimated to cost $10.8 billion. Phase 2 involves building the gas treatment and LNG export facilities at an estimated cost of $33 billion. Glenfarne will serve as a major partner, taking on a 75 percent share and financial responsibility. If it moves forward, Alaska is likely to experience a building boom similar to when the Trans Alaska Pipeline System was constructed decades ago. To say we are keeping a close eye on this exciting opportunity is an understatement.

AGC of Alaska also proudly sponsored “Alaska on the Hill” in Washington, D.C. this spring. This annual gathering brings together Alaskans from various sectors—including business, industry, and resource organizations—to meet with our federal delegation, members of Congress from other states, and officials working for the president’s administration. The goal is to advocate for Alaska’s unique needs and priorities by allowing real Alaskans to share stories that convey the effects of federal decisions.

Discussions during “Alaska on the Hill” cover topics central to Alaska’s construction industry. These include federal funding for infrastructure projects, responsible resource development, environmental regulations, and policies that support economic growth. Supporting “Alaska on the Hill” allows us to join forces with our trade organization partners to advocate for federal decisions that benefit all industries, including construction. We make quite the splash when we all show up together with the same messages.

As we enter the busy construction season, let’s redouble our efforts around safety while continuing our advocacy for a healthy and sustainable construction industry in Alaska. If this mission resonates with you, we invite you to join us in this initiative. How do you help us do that? Get involved, join a committee or simply attend our events. Your participation in AGC of Alaska’s work is invaluable as we work toward building Alaska from the ground up.