Project Details
The Cascade Point Ferry Terminal project is being advanced by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to:
- Improve transportation reliability for one of the region's most important ferry corridors.
- Reduce long-term operating costs and support a more efficient Alaska Marine Highway System.
- Increase public access to Juneau and communities across Southeast Alaska.
- Deliver on a key priority outlined by Governor Mike Dunleavy to strengthen regional connectivity.
In 2023, DOT&PF and Goldbelt, Inc. signed an MOU to pursue shared infrastructure at Cascade Point (Mile 42, Glacier Highway). This public-private partnership:
- Leverages Goldbelt's ownership of the surrounding lands.
- Supports local and regional economic growth.
- Respects Alaska Native land stewardship.
- Improves essential services for residents and travelers.
Project development includes:
- A new ferry terminal with a single-end loading berth, pedestrian and vehicle transfer bridges, mooring and berthing dolphins, and a rubble-mound breakwater.
- Upland facilities such as an access road, terminal building, vehicle staging area, storage building, drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, generator building, fuel storage, and other utilities to allow the site to function as an AMHS homeport.
Project Location
The Cascade Point Ferry Terminal is located at Mile 42 on Glacier Highway, just beyond the current end of the state-maintained road near Sunshine Cove. Positioned between Juneau and Haines, the site provides strategic access for shortening ferry routes along one of the busiest corridors in the Alaska Marine Highway System. Its location allows for efficient connections to Southeast communities while supporting future regional growth and transportation needs.
DOT&PF has divided the project into two stages:
Stage 1 is a design-build project in the uplands area which includes design and construction of the ferry terminal access road and uplands staging area.
Upland components:
- Construction of an access road
- Installation of a bridge over Cascade Creek
- Initial site preparation of the staging area
- Stockpiling materials for the construction of the causeway in Stage 2
Stage 2 is currently at 35% design and will include design and construction of all remaining components listed below:
Offshore components:
- Stern-berth ferry terminal with vehicle and pedestrian bridges
- Mooring, berthing and guide dolphins
- Rubble mound breakwater
- Dredging the basin of the ferry terminal
Onshore components:
- Terminal building
- Storage building
- Generator building
- Vehicle staging and parking
- Water treatment system and holding tank
- Wastewater treatment system
- Fuel storage system
Stage 1 design and construction work, and Stage 2 design work are utilizing funds appropriated for the Juneau Access project. These state funds are specifically available for improving transportation in the Lynn Canal corridor — an intent this project fulfills while avoiding new federal debt or lengthy delays.
Project History
The Cascade Point concept is not new. It was initially explored nearly two decades ago and resurfaced in 2019 when internal DOT&PF memos acknowledged the feasibility of a terminal to support day-boat operations and resolve known challenges with existing terminals.
Since 2022, DOT&PF has partnered with Goldbelt to evaluate engineering, environmental, and operational feasibility, completing preliminary designs and initiating land use agreements. Once the land use agreements are finalized, future work and development at Cascade Point will continue.
Documents & Links
Design Build RFP
- Part 1: Instructions to Proposers
- Part 2: Contract Requirements
- Part 3: Scope of Work
- Part 4: Appendices
- Addendum 1
- Addendum 2
- Addendum 3
- Addendum 4
Additional Documents
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