(JUNEAU, Alaska) — Skagway will have the state as a partner in its pursuit to develop new marine facilities for both the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) and commercial and private marine businesses. The partnership was outlined in an agreement signed this month by the Municipality of Skagway (MOS) and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The agreement includes preliminary design, engineering, and a feasibility analysis.

“Alaska’s communities are resourceful and inventive, and this partnership further demonstrates my administration’s commitment to making the Alaska Marine Highway System more durable and reliable,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy.

The facilities being considered at Ore Peninsula will consist of an AMHS ferry berth, terminal building, vehicle staging area, parking, and associated facilities and related improvements. Skagway is interested in the development of a new ferry facility at Ore Peninsula to replace their current aging dock that is threatened by ongoing cliff erosion.

“Pursuing port improvements for Alaska’s coastal communities is critically important to AMHS’s long term success,” said Commissioner Ryan Anderson. “This project moves us closer to the goal that our vessels can be used interchangeably throughout our AMHS network.”

This project is closely aligned with DOT&PF’s Charting the Course Initiative, which supports the long-term health of Alaska coastal communities as part of the AMHS recovery plan. For more information about Charting the Course check here.

Skagway's economy is closely linked to its port and a new marine facility will allow the community to pursue commercial and recreational marine traffic. Skagway has seen a steady uptick in commercial and recreational marine vessel traffic in recent years.

The partnership between Skagway and DOT&PF has a long history, starting when the two governments entered into a 1978 agreement to remove the old dock and replace the existing floating dock and supporting infrastructure.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, 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 through service and infrastructure.”

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