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The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Columbia is seen in drydock on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in Ketchikan. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Opinion

Opinion: Overhauling the federal Jones Act would benefit Alaska, including the Marine Highway System

Antiquated or obsolete laws can be amusing; I recently learned that an obscure medieval law provides the right…

The LeConte state ferry in 2023. (Lex Treinen / Chilkat Valley News)

News

Stranded Beerfest travelers scramble to rebook after LeConte ferry breakdown

Loss of 225-passenger ferry leaves many Juneau-bound revelers looking for other ways home.

The Columbia state ferry sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Columbia ferry out of service until end of the year

51-year-old ship has been out of service since November; corrosion in fire system cited for delay.

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Opinion

Opinion: The Alaska Marine Highway System’s battered reputation

“Before you can make a decision, you need information” Craig Tornga said while avoiding speculation about the future…

The Matanuska state ferry, seen here docked when it was scheduled to begin its annual winter overhaul in October of 2022, has been out of service ever since. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

News

State awaits report, cost estimate on repairing Matanuska state ferry — and if it’s worth the effort

Full-body scan of vessel, out of service for 18 months, will determine if ship should be scrapped.

The Hubbard, the newest vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on April 18. It is generally scheduled to provide dayboat service between Juneau, Haines and Skagway. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

News

Ongoing Alaska Marine Highway woes are such that marketing to Lower 48 tourists is being scaled back

“We just disappoint people right now,” AMHS’ marine director says during online public forum Monday.

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Both the vessel and terminal are scheduled to get upgrades from federal grants that will be matched with “toll funds” from ferry revenues. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Use of state ferry revenues as ‘toll credits’ to secure federal grants for major projects gets OK

Federal government approval will ensure funds for Tustumena replacement vessel, other upgrades.

An employee works on the deck of an Alaska Marine Highway System vessel in a photo used by AMHS on social media to advertise jobs openings during the summer of 2023. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

News

Crew shortages continue to limit AMHS operations, likely to keep Kennicott idle again this summer

Situation improved from a year ago, but wheelhouse employees and engineers still a crucial need.

A blueprint shows plans for a geotechnical exploration/bathymetry survey scheduled at Cascade Point this summer for a proposed ferry terminal. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

News

Cascade Point ferry terminal may be ready by ’25, but AMH board members skeptical about its usefulness

“The compelling reason for this is still escaping me,” one member says during project update Tuesday

A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

News

Second Juneau-Douglas crossing to cost about $400M, be completed by 2030, in revised state transportation plan

Update also envisions Cascade ferry terminal by ‘25, safety fixes at Fred Meyer intersection by ‘26.

Andy Mills (left), legislative liaison for the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and Commissioner Ryan Anderson testify before the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday about an executive order that would give the governor full control of the Alaska Marine Highway System’s operations board. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Governor says he wants control of ferry board so it’s not ‘at odds’ with him; senators express skepticism

Resolution to reject Dunleavy’s executive order among many being considered by legislators.

Traffic at the Fred Meyer intersection, formally known as Egan and Yandukin drives, in November 2019. Proposed safety upgrades at the intersection may be impacted by the federal government’s rejection of the State Transportation Improvement Program for 2024-27. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Statewide transportation projects at risk as federal government rejects 2024-27 improvement plan

Cascade Point terminal, numerous ferry upgrades among local projects potentially impacted.

A view from an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

News

State ferry system in third year of crew shortages

Kennicott will spend another summer in dock unless more people hired soon, AMHS director says.

Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)

News

Proposal to put slot machines aboard Alaska ferries gets rough first reception

A Republican legislator from Wasilla has proposed legalizing some types of gambling aboard Alaska Marine Highway System ships…

An Alaska Marine Highway System vessel at sea. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

News

Dunleavy gains control to pick all nine members of state ferry board July 1 under executive order

Order ends all existing terms that day; takes away legislative leaders’ appointing of four seats.

A chart shows the proposed plans for each of the Alaska Marine Highway System’s nine ferries next summer under a schedule open for public comment until Dec. 19. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

News

Proposed ferry schedule for next summer looks a lot like this year’s — with one possible big exception

Cross-Gulf sailings will resume if enough crew hired; AMHS begins two-week public comment period.

The Hubbard state ferry (left), the newest vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, is back in service in northern Southeast Alaska after a maintenance period as the LeConte, which also serves the region, undergoes a scheduled annual overhaul until March 3. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

News

AMHS leaders hopeful staffing, sailings are trending up

More employees at key positions hired, restoration of cross-Gulf sailings next summer envisioned.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Petition seeks name change for LeConte state ferry

Petersburg man calling attention to what he calls Joseph LeConte’s racist history.

The Tustumena ferry is seen July 20, 2021, in southwest Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)

News

Current issues dominate ferry system open house for long-term planning

Mainliner specs go to shipbuilders in November while the fate of Matanuska remains unknown.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on an Alaska state ferry on Wednesday, Aug. 16 during his first visit to Southeast Alaska. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Transportation)

Opinion

My Turn: Traveling the Alaska way

The night before my team and I were scheduled to fly from Juneau to Haines on Seaplanes with…