Immediate Decommissioning of Wrangell Barge Ramp

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - ADVISORY

For immediate release: Thursday, March 13, 2025 @8:15PM

Immediate Decommissioning of Wrangell Barge Ramp

Dear Wrangell Community,

Following a thorough structural condition assessment by PND Engineering, significant deterioration has been identified at the Borough's barge ramp. The evaluation revealed critical structural issues that compromise the safety of the facility, posing unacceptable risks to operators and equipment. Given the severity of these findings, the Borough has made the difficult but necessary decision to immediately decommission the barge ramp to safeguard operators and prevent potential accidents or failures. The condition assessment can be found on our

We fully understand that this action will result in operational challenges and disruptions in the short term. To address these challenges, we have designated the Wrangell Marine Service Center as the temporary barge receiving facility, a solution that has successfully supported periods where the existing barge ramp was undergoing maintenance and repair.

The Borough is committed to supporting affected users during this period of transition. Our team will actively engage with stakeholders to identify and implement long-term solutions to ensure the continuity and reliability of freight services for the community.

We genuinely appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and patience during this transition as we prioritize the safety and well-being of all users and work towards sustainable, long-term infrastructure solutions.

Sincerely,

Mason F. Villarma

Borough Manager

City and Borough of Wrangell