Alaska

[kphoger]

The Alaska Marine Highway auto ferry system is starting to roll out wi-fi on its ferries, starting with the M/V Columbia which connects major panhandle communities with Bellingham WA:

https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2024/PR24-0042.shtml

The other long-haul ferry out of Bellingham, the M/V Kennicott (the vessel for cross-Gulf of Alaska service from Bellingham to Seward) is out of service for generator upgrades. But it's not among the first two vessels in line for wi-fi service, even though wi-fi would be especially useful for passengers on its multi-day runs.

It was strange, in this day and age, for a lady at our church to be completely unreachable by cell phone while taking a cruise up to Alaska.  She and her husband are rather elderly, so it was a little concerning to him when he couldn't reach her for days on end.

[oscar]

I don't see how additional docks or roads on the west side of the canal would help Juneau.  Are they saying driving to a more southerly dock from Haines would help, because you would only have to take a ferry from that southern point?  Wonder if Haines would just prefer to get on the ferry in Haines just out of convenience (i.e., leaving a car far away, needing a car when you can get to a closer dock more easily...).

The big problem for Juneau is how far the AMH dock is from the city and how inconvenient the ferry schedule can be -- getting in late at night while leaving very early in the morning.  Then again, can't get in the way of the cruise ships, I suppose.

Since the feasibility study and public input hasn't even begun, who knows how Haines residents feel about the idea? My hunch is that the new road and ferry terminal would be most helpful to people (including those in other parts of Alaska, and western Yukon) who want to take their cars to and from Juneau, since ferries are much slower than highways, and the shorter ferry trip would shorten their overall trip time. Haines residents who don't want to (or can't) take their cars to Juneau would continue to catch the ferry in Haines, unless ferry service were discontinued north of the new ferry terminal (the people in Skagway would bitch like crazy about that idea).

Having Juneau's ferry terminal far away from downtown, and long-haul ferries arriving or leaving in the middle of the night (which is a problem also with other ferry ports), still suck, but we don't yet know whether the concept to be studied would make things worse.

[oscar]

It was strange, in this day and age, for a lady at our church to be completely unreachable by cell phone while taking a cruise up to Alaska. She and her husband are rather elderly, so it was a little concerning to him when he couldn't reach her for days on end.

Unless the cruise ships have rolled out cellphone access lately, that's a problem for many places in Alaska. Probably the same for Caribbean cruises.

[Rothman]

It was strange, in this day and age, for a lady at our church to be completely unreachable by cell phone while taking a cruise up to Alaska. She and her husband are rather elderly, so it was a little concerning to him when he couldn't reach her for days on end.

Unless the cruise ships have rolled out cellphone access lately, that's a problem for many places in Alaska. Probably the same for Caribbean cruises.

I thought Skagway had problems with cruise ships coming in with some powerful kind of wifi that affected their own local access.

[oscar]

Latest on improving (or not) ferry service to and from Juneau:

https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2025/PR25-0020.shtml

Major points:

-- the proposed new Cascade Point ferry terminal will be about 30 miles north of the existing Auke Bay terminal which now serves Juneau

-- it will be along an existing highway north of Juneau, along the east side of the Lynn Canal

-- the new terminal will not replace the Auke Bay terminal

The public seems to be confused about how the new terminal will change, or improve, ferry service to and from Juneau. Alaska DOT&PF says it will later provide more info, and continue to seek public input.

[Rothman]

30 miles north?!  It improves access to Haines and Skagway, but I fail to see how it improves access to Juneau.  Can't imagine how long you'd have to wait for a taxi or hotel shuttle.

I'm with the confused public on this one.  I also get what they're saying about reduced marine miles, but again, claiming this improves access to Juneau is nuttery.

[oscar]

30 miles north?!  It improves access to Haines and Skagway, but I fail to see how it improves access to Juneau.  Can't imagine how long you'd have to wait for a taxi or hotel shuttle.

Which is not a problem for those who take their cars to or from Juneau, and can use the new ferry terminal to take advantage of any shorter ferry rides to/from Haines or Skagway. Those who can't, can still use the old Auke Bay ferry terminal, if the existing ferry routes continue going there.

I don't know if the mainline ferries to/from Haines and Skagway will bypass the new terminal, or stop at both terminals (which would mean longer ferry trips for those routes). That may be something TBD, after construction of the new terminal is underway. I hope the cross-gulf ferry from Bellingham to Prince William Sound via Juneau would still use the old terminal, without detouring to the new terminal (the entire cross-gulf route takes several days as is).

[Rothman]

People who take cars on the AMH are a small minority.  Hard to believe that helping them will help that much with mobility.

Perhaps they lobbied for it...

[The Ghostbuster]

If they can't (or won't) build a road connecting the four legs of AK 7, they have to utilize ferries to make the connections.

[Rothman]

If they can't (or won't) build a road connecting the four legs of AK 7, they have to utilize ferries to make the connections.

Wut.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Alaska DOT&PF Secures Record Setting $183M in Federal Transportation Funding

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) — Alaskans will benefit from an additional $183.4 million in transportation improvements, the largest August Redistribution in state history.

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has secured the record setting additional $183.4 million in federal obligation authority for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 through the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) annual August Redistribution process. This additional spending authority will be put to work immediately for safety, bridge and pavement projects, non-motorized improvements, and community access upgrades across Alaska.

"This year's record-setting August Redistribution of $183.4 million reflects more than just opportunity — it demonstrates the power of modernization, said DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. "By updating our processes with digital tools, streamlining the Tentative Advertising Schedule, and advancing our Project Delivery Plan, we positioned the department to pursue multiple projects across diverse federal funding categories. Just as importantly, our ability to track costs and schedules in real time ensures we could quickly adapt when challenges arise. This level of agility is what allows us to maximize federal investment and deliver vital infrastructure for Alaska's communities."

What is August Redistribution?

Each year, Congress gives states highway funds based on a formula and sets a yearly limit on how much of that money can be used. By late summer, some states and federal programs have not used all of their spending authority. FHWA's August Redistribution reallocates that unused authority to states that are ready to put it to work quickly and in line with federal requirements. This does not create new funding but instead allows states with shovel-ready projects to move faster, using existing federal funds to deliver more improvements sooner.

Record Redistribution Achieved Through Federal Partnership

This year's $183.4 million award equals nearly one-third of the state's formula funding. On a per-capita basis, Alaska ranked first in the nation. DOT&PF credits FHWA's clearer guidance and stronger collaboration under new leadership for helping make this record redistribution possible. Anderson said: "We appreciate the support and clarity from our federal partners. This milestone reflects the power of shared focus on readiness and efficiency. We will keep delivering projects that improve safety, connect communities, and strengthen Alaska's economy. This record redistribution shows what our teams are capable of - and we're not slowing down."

How Alaska is Putting August Redistribution to Work?

From Southeast to the Arctic, Alaska is putting the record $183.4 million in August Redistribution authority to immediate use. DOT&PF is advancing safety, pavement preservation, and access improvements statewide — from resurfacing the Glenn Highway and Mendenhall Loop Road to rebuilding the Seward Highway railroad crossing, upgrading Seppala Drive in Nome, and preserving pavement on North Tongass in Ketchikan and the Richardson Highway.

Copper Landing Bypass: A nationally recognized safety project on the Sterling Highway, the bypass reroutes traffic around a narrow and hazardous stretch. Continued investment will ensure safer travel through one of Alaska's most heavily used highway corridors, balancing mobility with environmental stewardship along the Kenai River.

West Susitna Access Road: This project advances work on new corridor that expands access to recreation, settlement, and natural resource development west of the Susitna River. By creating a reliable land connection in an undeveloped region, the road supports long-term economic opportunity while strengthening community access.

Looking Ahead

DOT&PF is building on this year's success by institutionalizing the tools, practices, and discipline that made the 2025 redistribution possible. These improvements are now part of how the department plans and delivers projects, ensuring that readiness and efficiency are not one-time achievements but standard practice. As we prepare for FFY26, these lessons will help us capture future opportunities, deliver projects faster, and continue strengthening Alaska's transportation system for years to come.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to "Keep Alaska Moving."

[Rothman]

August Redistribution is the most misunderstood fiscal aspect of transportation funding.  IT IS NOT ADDITIONAL FUNDING AS SAID OUTRIGHT HERE.  It merely allows more obligations to occur, BUT DOES NOT AFFECT STATES' APPORTIONMENTS, the actual available funding.  I'd imagine the projects mentioned were already "advanced constructed" ("ACed") which is a horrible term in of itself -- just means you have the intent to spend federal funding rather than actual spending...and they were probably just able to obligate this year than next.