transportation

The aging Tustumena ferry, long designated for replacement, arrives in Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in this 2010 photo. (Homer News file photo)

Feds OK most of state’s revised transportation plan, but ferry and other projects again rejected

Governor’s use of ferry revenue instead of state funds to match federal grants a sticking point.

 

A map shows possible routes for a second Juneau-Douglas crossing, with the “Sunny Point East” route circled as the highest-scoring option in a report presented to city leaders on Monday. (Map by DOWL)

Sunny Point route near airport runway gets highest score for second Juneau-Douglas crossing

However, all seven options get negative scores; concerns by airport officials and residents linger.

 

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)

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.

 

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner Ryan Anderson answers questions from state senators during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

State officials working to meet Friday deadline for revised transportation plan

The federal government rejected the plan on Feb. 9, citing numerous deficiencies

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner Ryan Anderson answers questions from state senators during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner Ryan Anderson (left) answers questions from state senators during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

State officials working to meet Friday deadline for revised transportation plan

The federal government rejected the plan on Feb. 9, citing numerous deficiencies.

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner Ryan Anderson (left) answers questions from state senators during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
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)
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)
This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley in June of 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)

City looks at increasing buses between downtown and Mendenhall Glacier area during peak tourist season

Proposal would use marine passenger fees for extra buses after locals stranded at stops last year.

This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley in June of 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and the Premier of the Yukon Ranj Pillai, pose for a photo in the Cabinet office during a visit to Whitehorse on Thursday. (Photo by Justin Kennedy/Government of Yukon)

Dunleavy makes first official Yukon visit, signs Alaska Highway maintenance agreement

In his first official visit to the Yukon during five years as Alaska’s governor, Mike Dunleavy signed an agreement that commits more than $31 million… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and the Premier of the Yukon Ranj Pillai, pose for a photo in the Cabinet office during a visit to Whitehorse on Thursday. (Photo by Justin Kennedy/Government of Yukon)
Capital Transit buses will operate on revised schedules starting Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Changes to Capital Transit routes including Riverside Drive, Vintage Business Park start Monday

New schedule includes rerouting bus near school on Back Loop Road where safety upgrades occurring.

Capital Transit buses will operate on revised schedules starting Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
A $10 million project to improve drainage and resurface parking lots at Juneau International Airport is slated for completion Nov. 1. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Juneau airport project three-quarters of the way through

The primary goal of $10 million effort is to address longstanding drainage issues.

A $10 million project to improve drainage and resurface parking lots at Juneau International Airport is slated for completion Nov. 1. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday vetoed a bill that would classify such bikes the same as regular bikes that passed the Legislature this year by a combined 57-2 vote. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy vetoes bill classifying e-bikes the same as regular bikes

Spokesperson calls bill, which passed the Legislature 57-2, “unnecessary bureaucracy.”

A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday vetoed a bill that would classify such bikes the same as regular bikes that passed the Legislature this year by a combined 57-2 vote. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The Columbia ferry docks in Ketchikan earlier this month. Updates to the Alaska Marine Highway System are a major component of a draft statewide transportation improvement plan released Thursday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire).

Second Juneau-Douglas crossing, lots of ferry projects in state’s new four-year transportation plan

Public comments now being accepted on draft report detailing proposed statewide improvements

The Columbia ferry docks in Ketchikan earlier this month. Updates to the Alaska Marine Highway System are a major component of a draft statewide transportation improvement plan released Thursday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire).
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
A sign posted to the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Petersburg, noting that all sailings are canceled. (Courtesy photo | Malena Marvin)

Opinion: Stedman should follow local consensus and put ferries first

As residents of the towns near the proposed Kake Road, we firmly oppose it. The $40 million raised for this “road to nowhere” should instead… Continue reading

A sign posted to the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Petersburg, noting that all sailings are canceled. (Courtesy photo | Malena Marvin)
Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion
Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion
Gov’s chief of staff says getting ferries back in service is a top priority
Gov’s chief of staff says getting ferries back in service is a top priority
6 days and counting: Engine woes strands Anchorage-bound ferry passengers in Juneau
6 days and counting: Engine woes strands Anchorage-bound ferry passengers in Juneau
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
‘Difficult year for the AMHS’ with more struggles ahead
‘Difficult year for the AMHS’ with more struggles ahead
Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong

Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong

This is the wrong way to define ferry subsidies.

Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong