Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

Industrial Boulevard on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities plans to repave the boulevard and add a sidewalk. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Industrial Boulevard on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities plans to repave the boulevard and add a sidewalk. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy picks MacKinnon for transportation commissioner

Dunleavy picks MacKinnon for transportation commissioner

John MacKinnon is the outgoing executive director of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska.

Dunleavy picks MacKinnon for transportation commissioner
A sign supporting Mike Dunleavy for governor is seen in September. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, a Palmer man and a pro-Dunleavy group regarding political signs that violate the state’s anti-billboard law. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

State settles sign lawsuit brought by ACLU, pro-Dunleavy group

It’s an exit sign. On Tuesday, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr. approved a settlement concluding a lawsuit that challenged Alaska’s anti-billboard law. The… Continue reading

A sign supporting Mike Dunleavy for governor is seen in September. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, a Palmer man and a pro-Dunleavy group regarding political signs that violate the state’s anti-billboard law. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)

‘Emerging’ pollutant contaminates Gustavus well water

Some residents of the small town of Gustavus, near Glacier Bay National Park, are relying on state-provided drinking water after testing of private wells showed… Continue reading

The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)
A view of Egan Drive where it connects with Main Street on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is in the process of receiving bids for the reconstruction of the road from Main Street to 10th Street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Big downtown road project approaches

The Alaska Department of Transportation has begun accepting bids for a long-delayed project that will bring big changes to downtown Juneau traffic. At a community… Continue reading

A view of Egan Drive where it connects with Main Street on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is in the process of receiving bids for the reconstruction of the road from Main Street to 10th Street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Snow-removal crews work in White Pass during the winter of 2015-2016. (Hal Hartman | Courtesy photo)

Keeping Klondike Highway open isn’t just a blast

The State of Alaska is looking for someone who enjoys working with explosives and coping with avalanches. Last week, the Alaska Department of Transportation and… Continue reading

Snow-removal crews work in White Pass during the winter of 2015-2016. (Hal Hartman | Courtesy photo)
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Fast ferry Fairweather faces foggy future

Even though it’s only 14 years old, the fast ferry Fairweather is laying up for the season and its future is uncertain.

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska agrees to allow small political signs while lawsuit proceeds

Alaska agrees to allow small political signs while lawsuit proceeds

The Alaska Department of Transportation and the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union appear to have reached partial agreement on the issue of campaign signs along state roads.

Alaska agrees to allow small political signs while lawsuit proceeds
An electric motor coach provided by BYD Auto Co., Ltd., a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, and Alaska Coach Tours stops at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center to showcase the potential for electric vehicle bus transportation as part of the tourism industry in Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City gets funding for another electric bus

For the second year in a row, the City and Borough of Juneau is getting a federal grant to help bring an electric bus to the city.

An electric motor coach provided by BYD Auto Co., Ltd., a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, and Alaska Coach Tours stops at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center to showcase the potential for electric vehicle bus transportation as part of the tourism industry in Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Mike Dunleavy for governor and Jerry Nankervis for state house election signs are seen on Egan Drive at 17 Mile on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Alaska statute states signs on private or commercial property cannot be located within 660 feet of a state-maintained road or “with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Signs of trouble: ACLU and pro-Dunleavy campaign launch lawsuit against state

They’re the signs of the times, and they’re causing problems. On Thursday, the Alaska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union joined the group Dunleavy… Continue reading

Mike Dunleavy for governor and Jerry Nankervis for state house election signs are seen on Egan Drive at 17 Mile on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Alaska statute states signs on private or commercial property cannot be located within 660 feet of a state-maintained road or “with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire File

Feds sign death certificate for Juneau Road construction

Nineteen months after Gov. Bill Walker killed the Juneau Access Project, the federal government has signed the death certificate.

Juneau Empire File
In this Dec. 2, 2016 photo, a multi-vehicle accident at the Fred Meyer intersection just as rush hour started. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

DOT will talk about Fred Meyer intersection at public meeting

The Alaska Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting next week to discuss one of Juneau’s most dangerous traffic intersections. On Dec. 12, DOT… Continue reading

In this Dec. 2, 2016 photo, a multi-vehicle accident at the Fred Meyer intersection just as rush hour started. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this September 2014 photo, Field Morey, an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor from Medford, Oregon, applies an Alaskan flag sticker to the side of his 2013 Cessna Corvalis TTx four- passenger airplane after landing in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State may charge aircraft registration fee

You have to register your car with the state of Alaska each year. You may soon have to register your plane, too. The State of… Continue reading

In this September 2014 photo, Field Morey, an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor from Medford, Oregon, applies an Alaskan flag sticker to the side of his 2013 Cessna Corvalis TTx four- passenger airplane after landing in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)