Media Contacts

For questions regarding the Newsroom:

• DOT&PF Press and Communications:
  (907) 465-3900

Northern Region
Caitlin Frye
Public Information Officer

• Phone: 907-451-5307
• E-mail

Central Region
Shannon McCarthy
Media Liaison, Admin Ops Manager

• (907) 269-0448
• E-mail

Southcoast Region
Sam Dapcevich
Public Information Officer

• (907) 465-4503
• E-mail

Alaska Marine Highway
Sam Dapcevich
Public Information Officer

• (907) 465-4503
• E-mail

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Eland Conway
Development Specialist

• Phone: 907-266-2694
• E-mail

Fairbanks International Airport
Melissa Stepovich
Communications & Marketing Manager

• Phone: 907-474-2500
• E-mail

2020 Press Releases

September 2020

• September 8: Glenn Highway Southbound Eagle River Bridge Opens to Traffic Ahead of Schedule; Glenn Highway Capacity Improvements Project work continues through October 2020
• September 8: State and Travel Industry Launch Safe Travels Initiative for Out of State Travelers; Initiative provides latest travel information to improve traveler experience
• September 1: AMHS Winter 2020-2021 Schedule is Open for Booking; Schedule provides reduced service due to low revenues

August 2020

• August 27: Alaska DOT&PF Targets High-Risk Rockfall Areas on Seward Highway MP 104-114; Multiple year highway safety project starts next week with lane closures
• August 21: AMHS Reshaping Work Group Seeks Input; The public can comment via teleconference on August 26 and September 2
• August 17: M/V Matanuska Crew Tests Negative for COVID-19; Ship will resume scheduled service on August 21
• August 14: AMHS Passengers Test Positive for COVID-19; No other passengers or crew identified as close contacts
• August 13: Troopers Join National Campaign to Crack Down on Impaired Drivers (Dept. of Public Safety Press Release)
• August 12: Condor announces 2021 Anchorage flights
• August 10: DOT&PF Seeks Public Review of 2020 Winter Ferry Operating Plan; Comments may be submitted through August 14, 2020
• August 10: AMHS M/V LeConte Crew Member Tests Positive for COVID-19; No close contacts identified aboard ship or in Juneau
• August 6: Alaska’s new travel protocols will conserve resources, increase testing for Alaskans,and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 | COVID-19 Health Mandate 10 Revised (Dept. Health & Social Services Press Release)

July 2020

• July 23: ANC sees record air cargo numbers in second quarter, and named a finalist for Best Cargo Airport in North America
• July 15: Alaska DOT&PF Reminds Candidates to Keep ROW Clear of Driving Hazards
• July 5: AMHS Passenger Tests Positive for COVID-19; Traveling companion is the only close contact, no other passengers or crew identified as close contacts.

June 2020

• June 24: AMHS COVID-19 Travel Protocols Clarified; Testing not required for shorter-duration intrastate voyages
• June 21: AMHS Announces New Protocols to Minimize Transmission of COVID-19
• June 20: Travelers Entering Alaska by Land or Sea Must Complete Travel Declaration Form; Quarantine or testing is required (COVID-19 Unified Command Press Release)
• June 18: Anchorage, Pittsburgh airports partner to boost air cargo operations
• June 12: Testing option now provided as an alternative to Alaska’s 14-day quarantine for visitors or Alaskans returning home from out-of-state travel | Chart: Traveling into Alaska? Follow these steps. (Dept. Health & Social Services Press Release)
• June 12: ANC Promotes Safe Travels Program and Traveler Confidence Plan
• June 11: Alaska DOT&PF Named as Finalist in AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards; Awards Ceremony at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2020 in Dallas, TX
• June 10: Governor Signs Historic Gulkana Village Agreement (Governor's Office Press Release)
• June 9: Six Additional AMHS Employees Test Positive for COVID-19; All six passengers and the remaining 28 employees test negative.
• June 8: Tustumena Passengers and Crew Returning to Homer for Testing and Quarantine; Sailings will be canceled indefinitely, updates at www.FerryAlaska.com.
• June 6: AMHS Crewmember Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Dutch Harbor
• June 3: DOT&PF Starts Sterling Highway MP 45-60 Clearing & Geotechnical Drilling
• June 2: AMHS to Increase COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols; Customers urged to book online or call for reservations

May 2020

• May 27: AMHS to assist IFA with temporary ferry service between Ketchikan and Hollis; M/V Lituya sailings to begin May 28
• May 27: DOT&PF Conducting DBE Disparity Study; Interested participants can register at https://bit.ly/2LQqbYj
• May 21: The Denali Highway Is Now Open for Public Travel; Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions at 511.alaska.gov before traveling.
• May 12: Knik Goose Bay Repaving Starts Friday, May 15; Repair will maintain the Safety Corridor until reconstruction starts in late 2021
• May 6: AMHS Reshaping Work Group Meeting Thursday; Group will focus on strategic objectives and innovative solutions for operation of the system.
• May 6: Ketchikan South Tongass Highway Repairs Project Funding Approved; Work anticipated to begin early this summer
• May 6: ANC Receives Prestigious National Recognition for Snow Removal Performance
• May 4: FAA Awards Federal Airport Improvement Funds to Alaska’s Airports
• May 1: DOT&PF Temporarily Suspending Adopt-A-Highway Program
• May 1: DOT&PF Opens McCarthy Road to Public Travel; Drivers are encouraged to prepare for remote travel and drive slowly

April 2020

• April 29: AMHS Reshaping Work Group Meeting Thursday; Group will focus on strategic objectives and innovative solutions for operation of the system.
• April 27: AMHS Summer Schedule Updated; Four vessels expected to resume service in June and July
• April 22: Notification - Statement from John Binder, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities on CARES Airport Funding for State Owned Airports
• April 21: Alaska DOT&PF Recognizes Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
• April 21: The Taylor Highway is Open to Eagle; Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions at 511.alaska.gov before traveling
• April 16: Travel Restrictions Delay Return to Service of AMHS Mainline Vessels; Demand for passenger service is drastically reduced
• April 16: Alaska DOT&PF Works to Ensure Safety of Workers and Communities During Construction
• April 15: AMHS Reshaping Work Group Meeting Thursday; Group will focus on strategic objectives and innovative solutions
• April 14: FAA Grants $124.7 Million for Alaska Airports
• April 10: Alaska DOT&PF Announces Community Transportation Program Projects
• April 8: AMHS Cancels Service to Prince Rupert Until Further Notice; Required international terminal modifications delayed by travel restrictions
• April 3: Access to State-Owned Harbor and Seaplane Facilities
• April 3: Studded Tire Deadline Temporarily Suspended; Alaskans encouraged to use discretion (Joint Press Release)
• April 1: COVID-19 Crisis Delays Return of Three AMHS Ships; Mid-May return tentatively planned for Columbia, Kennicott and Tustumena

March 2020

• March 31: Anchorage Airport Police Department Achieves Prestigious Accreditation
• March 25: DOT&PF and AMHS Take Action to Reduce Employee Contact; Telework encouraged and administrative leave allowed when possible
• March 21: Notification - Statement from DOT&PF Commissioner John MacKinnon
• March 20: Alaska Aviation Updates - Precautions are in Place
• March 19: AMHS Announces New Boarding Process to Avoid Disruptions in Service; Travelers to be observed for symptoms of COVID-19 before boarding
• March 18: DOT&PF will blast a large rock mass on Seward Highway at MP 108; Drivers asked to expect extended closure to remove fallen rock
• March 18: Final Environmental Hurdle Cleared for Seward Airport Reconstruction; DOT&PF will move forward with reconstruction to protect airport for ongoing aviation uses
• March 18: AMHS Cancellation Fees Waived until April 8, 2020; Safety protocols are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19
• March 12: Positive COVID-19 Test in Alaska Associated with Cargo Flight
• March 6: AMHS vessel M/V Matanuska Heads to Ketchikan to Complete Repairs; Additional AMHS vessels returning to service in April and May
• March 3: AMHS vessel M/V Tazlina will return to scheduled service on Mar. 5, 2020
• March 2: AMHS Summer 2020 Schedule is Open for Booking

February 2020

• Feb. 28: ANC launches new brand to support new business development
• Feb. 26: Alaska Marine Highway System Announces Interim Passenger Service; Allen Marine vessel will make trips on Feb. 29 and Mar. 3
• Feb. 26: Alaska Marine Highway Reshaping Work Group to hold first meeting on Feb. 27, 2020
• Feb. 21: M/V Matanuska Remains Out of Service Due to Mechanical Issue; M/V Columbia will pick up Matanuska sailings on April 14
• Feb. 18: Draft Alaska Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Out for Comment; Public Comments Accepted Through March 20 at 5 p.m.
• Feb. 13: ANC Reports Record Passenger Numbers in 2019
• Feb. 10: AMHS Working to Provide Interim Passenger and Freight Service
• Feb. 7: ANC Operations Continue, with Precautions in Place for Novel Coronavirus
• Feb. 7: DOT&PF Deputy Commissioner Mary Siroky Re-retiring; Position will be filled by Rob Carpenter
• Feb. 7: Fairbanks International Airport Preparing for Record Passenger Numbers in Summer 2020
• Feb. 5: M/V Matanuska sailings canceled due to ongoing mechanical issue; Vessel requires inspection and repair in shipyard before returning to service

January 2020

• Jan. 27: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Prepared to Protect Health of Travelers, Staff and the Public
• Jan. 21: Flight Makes Emergency Landing at Fairbanks International Airport
• Jan. 21: DOT&PF Seeks Public Review of 2020 Summer Ferry Schedule
• Jan. 17: Gov. Dunleavy Establishes Alaska Marine Highway Reshaping Work Group
• Jan. 17: ANC Ends Year with Nation’s Second Best On-time Departure Record
• Jan. 15: Draft AMHS Economic Reshaping Report Released
• Jan. 6: Fairbanks International Airport to Open Cell Phone Lot
• Jan. 6: Alaska Traffic Safety Summit to Convene in Anchorage

 

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For questions regarding the Newsroom: DOT&PF Chief Communications Officer, (907) 465-3900