Alaska's Congressional Delegation Welcome Historic Investment in Alaska Marine Highway System

Alaska's Congressional Delegation Welcome Historic Investment in Alaska Marine Highway System

ANCHORAGE, AK - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Congressman Nick Begich, and Governor Mike Dunleavy (all R-Alaska), welcomed the announcement that Alaska has awarded more than $410 million to support the Alaska Marine Highway System with key resources targeted for rural Southeast Alaska.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities submitted six winning applications:

• $161.2 million federal funding for AMHS operations support for ferry services across more than 20 communities, supporting vessel operations, crew, fuel, and maintenance.

• $153.4 million federal funding for design and construction of a replacement of the M/V LeConte, improving reliability, accessibility, fuel efficiency, and long-term fleet flexibility.

• $37.6 million federal funding for the Cascade Point Ferry Terminal, shortening the Juneau-Haines-Skagway sailing by roughly one-third and reducing operating costs.

• $33.4 million federal funding for the Kake Ferry Terminal modernization, enabling the terminal to accommodate more of the AMHS fleet and larger vessels.

• $20.6 million federal funding to expand the Saxman Seaport, improving capacity, freight movements, and connections among Ketchikan/Saxman, Metlakatla, and Prince of Wales Island.

• $4 million federal funding for customer service and operations modernization, including implementing modern reservations and improving AMHS operating efficiency.

"This federal investment of more than $410 million is a major victory for Alaska and will help realize the vision I had as a lead author of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Throughout the lengthy negotiations, I made it clear that our ferries are essential infrastructure and deserve inclusion in this generational investment," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Growing up in Southeast Alaska, I know our waterways connect us to our neighbors. When we have a thriving ferry system, our coastal communities can thrive. That is why the Alaska Marine Highway System has remained a priority of mine throughout my career, and why I continue to push our state and federal partners to ensure that our AMHS meets Alaskans' needs. With this funding, we are able to deliver on the promise to recapitalize our fleet so that AMHS remains a reliable, sustainable service that Alaskans can count on for decades to come."

"For many of Alaska's 230 communities that are not connected by the road system, marine transportation isn't optional, it's how people travel to meet their everyday needs," said Sen. Dan Sullivan. "The $410 million in new federal funding that we're announcing today represents a historic investment in Alaska's ferry system-for terminal facilities, a replacement vessel, and operations. In the federal infrastructure law, I worked to secure new flexibility that allows federal funds to also support ferry operating costs, which is critically important to bolstering the Alaska Marine Highway system over the long-term. Today's announcement is an exciting win for Alaska's coastal communities and Alaskans' transportation needs."

"Reliable ferry service is fundamental to the economic vitality and quality of life for residents throughout Southeast and coastal Alaska," said Congressman Begich. "These investments in Alaska's Marine Highway will help address longstanding infrastructure and operational needs while improving the reliability of ferry service for Alaskans. From replacing aging vessels to improving terminals and strengthening day-to-day operations, these projects represent meaningful investments in the long-term health of the Marine Highway system."

"The Alaska Marine Highway System is vital for Southeast Alaska. This investment will provide the resources to build on our successes for the past years to provide for decades of reliable service," Gov. Mike Dunleavy said. "I want to thank our Department of Transportation and Public Facilities staff for their tremendous work on the State's application for this funding, our Congressional delegation for their efforts appropriating funding for this program, and President Trump and his administration for seeing the value of investing in Alaska."

"Under President Trump and Secretary Duffy, the tens of thousands of Alaskans who depend on a safe and reliable ferry system will not be overlooked," said U.S. Transportation Under Secretary for Policy Ryan McCormack. "From Juneau to the Aleutian Islands, we know residents rely on ferries to commute, move goods, and access healthcare. That's why the Trump Administration is investing nearly half a billion dollars to bolster the Alaska Marine Highway System. We're proud to work with Governor Dunleavy to deliver this massive win for Alaskan families."

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