Ketchikan airport’s indoor ferry waiting area on the town’s side – Revilla Island – has reopened after a water leak closed the facility on Monday.
The facility, which is owned and maintained by the state’s Department of Transportation, has experienced a handful of intermittent closures related to water leaks since opening in 2024. The roof has an inverted design that drains rain and snow into the center.
Ketchikan Airport Manager Alex Peura said the leaks occur when large snow accumulations on the roof melt.
“For somewhere that doesn’t get the rain and snow, it would probably be fine,” Peura said. “I wouldn’t say the roof is faulty. It’s just probably not ideal for this area.”
Peura said the state department has made the issue a “priority” and is working to resolve it. He said the state is looking to replace the roof’s lining system, but did not specify when that would be.
Alaska DOT Southcoast Regional Director Christopher Goins said the issue should be fixed in the next month or two.
This story was updated on Jan. 7 to include comment from the Alaska Department of Transportation.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
