Frequently Asked Questions

The Cascade Point Ferry Terminal is a new marine transportation hub designed to modernize service between Juneau, Haines, and Skagway. It shortens sailing distances, reduces travel times, and lowers operating costs for the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Current ferry routes require long travel distances and unpredictable weather conditions that can affect schedules and increase operating expenses. Cascade Point provides a shorter, more protected route that improves reliability and efficiency while saving time for travelers and crews.

Yes. DOT&PF would maintain the road to Cascade Point year-round. Today, maintenance priority decreases beyond the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, but once Cascade Point comes online, especially if winter ferry operations occur—that priority would increase to match what we currently provide into Auke Bay.

Keeping that additional distance plowed and sanded is expected to cost about $30,000 per year, which is a modest increase and would be tied to how often the terminal operates during the winter season.

The Auke Bay Ferry Terminal is not going away. It will continue serving as Juneau’s primary port for mainline vessels and for routes to communities other than Haines and Skagway.

Cascade Point is being added specifically to support the shorter Northern Lynn Canal runs.

Goldbelt has committed to running a paid shuttle connecting Cascade Point, Auke Bay, and the Mendenhall Valley. That connection to the Valley allows walk-on passengers to link directly with Capital Transit—something Auke Bay does not offer today.

Currently, walk-on passengers must walk a considerable distance from Auke Bay to the nearest transit stop, often along the shoulder, in snow, or in low light with no sidewalk. The shuttle significantly improves that experience, giving walk-ons a safer, more reliable, and more equitable connection to Juneau.

Shuttle fares have not been set, and the State has not yet determined how any operational savings from Cascade Point will be used. Whether those savings help stabilize or reduce fares or add service will be a future policy decision once full costs are known. This improved transit opportunity simply would not exist without the Cascade Point project.

The total project cost will depend on final design decisions, market conditions, and how upland and marine components are phased. Like most major transportation projects in Alaska, the estimate will continue to be refined as engineering progresses and as construction markets fluctuate.

Operationally, shifting part of the route to a short drive and reducing vessel travel time is expected to lower fuel use, vessel wear, and overall operating demands. Those efficiencies translate into long-term operational savings, though the exact amounts will vary year to year based on fuel prices, labor costs, and fleet deployment decisions.

New expenses—such as shuttle operations and added road maintenance—will also factor into the overall operating picture. These will be calibrated with the level of service the system provides, especially during the winter season.

It's important to note that no single year's savings or costs determine the value of the project. Transportation infrastructure is built for decades of use, and long-term reliability, improved service, and efficiency for travelers are the primary drivers behind the investment.

The benefits are broad and regional:

• Haines, Skagway, and Yukon travelers gain faster, more predictable connections.
• Juneau residents see improved system reliability and better transit access.
• Employers and freight users benefit from shorter, more efficient logistics.
• The site also provides future flexibility to support additional economic activity alongside AMHS operations.

Once the wave barrier is constructed, the Cascade Point terminal will be capable of operating year-round and could serve as a home port. AMHS may still choose to operate some winter sailings from Auke Bay depending on conditions, but the long-term intent is for Cascade Point to be the primary location for the Haines–Skagway route while retaining operational flexibility.

Cascade Point advances AMHS’s long-range vision by creating a shorter, more efficient route that improves reliability and reduces operating costs.

At the same time, DOT&PF is progressing new vessel construction, major terminal upgrades (including Skagway), and systemwide modernization efforts. Cascade Point is one key component of a coordinated investment plan designed to strengthen the entire network for decades to come.

The partnership structure is still being negotiated. Several ownership, leasing, or shared-use models are possible, and those details will be finalized through ongoing discussions.

At its core, this partnership follows the agreement between the Governor and Goldbelt to explore a multimodal, dual-functional port—with AMHS operating the ferry terminal portion and Goldbelt retaining the ability to support industrial or commercial uses that complement the ferry system.

The exact mix of easements, leases, and cost-sharing arrangements will be resolved as negotiations progress.

The AMHS 2045 Long-Range Plan includes both fleet modernization and terminal improvements. Terminal projects like Cascade Point are a critical step toward a stronger, more resilient system while new vessels are planned and funded through separate processes.

Cascade Point is inside Juneau Hydropower’s service district. Since the utility recently became certified, DOT&PF can now study what it would take to supply power to the site. This work is an evaluation only and not a commitment.

A Y connection is a branching point in a transmission line. It lets the utility split power in two directions.

Juneau Hydropower was already preparing to install new transmission lines in the area. During that planning, DOT&PF identified a one-time opportunity to add a branching Y connection. Installing it now keeps the option open for future power service to Cascade Point if the project moves forward. Including this is a prudent purchase reducing future risks and costs while the majority of the standard utility engineering practice carries forward.

Cascade Point has been discussed and reviewed for several years. The concept itself dates back nearly two decades and was revisited in 2019 when DOT&PF evaluated the location as a potential site to support day-boat operations and address known challenges with existing terminals.

Since 2022, DOT&PF has provided regular updates to the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board, including:

• May 2022 — Cascade Point overview and site map
• July 2022 — Presentation with Goldbelt, Inc.
• March 2024 — Project update
• May 2024 — Update covering breakwater analysis, operability, and alternatives

Shifting part of the route to a short drive and reducing vessel travel by roughly 24 nautical miles per trip lowers fuel consumption and emissions while optimizing vessel capacity. Efficiency is achieved by minimizing the overall energy and operational demands on the system, rather than focusing solely on the distance traveled by ferry.

This project introduces the potential for that road to be designated as part of the National Highway System, which would increase eligibility for federal funding and resources. Currently, this road is not part of the National Highway System.

The terminal is supported through a combination of state investment, federal funding and strategic partnerships, consistent with the AMHS 2045 Long-Range Plan.

The original deadline fell during Thanksgiving week. To support meaningful public participation, we extended the window to ensure Alaskans had adequate time to review the analysis and share feedback. Extending the comment period provides ample time to hear about any potential significant impacts or extraordinary circumstances to ensure the team is effectively avoiding them or mitigating them should the project go to construction.

Yes. DOT&PF accepts comments throughout the life of any project. Formal comment periods ensure that feedback is included in the required permit record, but we welcome comments at any time.

Your comment can help shape:

• The design of the proposed terminal
• The approach to both stages
• Project features that support communities and operations