A sign near Juneau’s Auke Bay Ferry Terminal points to the end of Glacier Highway. The road would be extended about 50 miles to a new terminal closer to Haines under a state plan that’s temporarily on hold. (Ed Schoenfeld/CoastAlaska News)

Work continues on Southeast Alaska’s largest transportation project, despite Gov. Bill Walker’s spending freeze. But it doesn’t involve moving dirt or pouring concrete.

DOT’s preferred alternative would extend Glacier Highway about 50 miles to a ferry terminal at the Katzehin River. (Courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

The Juneau Access Road is one of six projects Walker put on hold during his first month in office.

It would extend the capital city’s highway system about 50 miles north to a new ferry terminal on Lynn Canal. From there, shuttle ships would complete the link to Haines and Skagway.

In his announcement, Walker told state agencies they could complete what’s already paid or contracted for. But he said no additional money could be committed or spent.

Juneau Access Project Manager Gary Hogins says the Department of Transportation’s current work is preparing a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which is needed for federal funding and approval.

“We just finished going through the public involvement process and what we do next is review the comments, respond to comments and evaluate and select a final alternative,” he says.

Hogins says that will take about a year and $600,000.

He says no other work is planned – for now.

“We would have expected to go into design and construction, but that’s been put on hold,” he says.

“Gov. Walker has made a very smart decision to put the brakes on the Juneau Road extension,” says Emily Ferry of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council.

SEACC says the Alaska Marine Highway System offers a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative.

“DOT’s own study shows the extraordinary cost of constructing and maintaining the road far exceeds the minimal benefits of making weekend getaways a little bit cheaper for Juneauites,” she says.

The agency says the road would do a lot more than that. It also says the project would ultimately save money by shortening ferry routes.

Road supporters, who share those views, say they’re not giving up.

“I’m disappointed in it. I don’t know that that’s the end of the project. I think it’s a bump, probably for all those other projects too. I think they’ll probably all come back at some point in time,” says Wayne Jensen, who chairs the Alaska Committee’s board of directors.

He supports building the road to increase access to the capital city. He remains optimistic.

“The stuff that’s committed is continuing and I think that’s a good sign. They’ve got contracts committed and processes in play. And I expect those will continue until some point in time when either there’s a further delay or the projects are reinstated,” he says.

The Transportation Department recently increased road funding in its long-term project list, called the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

The proposed $152 million brings the total to be spent to $520 million.

Road projects of a similar value in Anchorage, Wasilla, Cordova and the eastern Interior were removed from the list.

SEACC’s Ferry says that’s wrong.

“If DOT is allowed to proceed with the Juneau Road extension, other transportation projects across the state will have to be sacrificed over the next decade,” she says.

It’s not clear when the governor will decide what to do with the Juneau Access project.

DOT’s Hogins says he’s assembling the data.

“He’s asked for information as far as what would be the downside or the risk of delay or termination. And we are responding to that,” he says.

Walker said low oil prices mean the state cannot afford the road — and the other five projects — right now. The state faces an approximately $3 billion budget gap for the current fiscal year and the same for the next one.

Other projects put on hold are the Ambler Road, the Susitna-Watana Dam, the Kodiak Launch Complex, the Knik Arm Crossing and the Alaska Standalone Pipeline Project.

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A drawing of the Alaska Class Shuttle Ferry by Elliot Bay Design. A new report estimates building two will cost $112.2 million. They will likely be built at the Ketchikan shipyard and will sail Lynn Canal.

The latest design for new shuttle ferries includes a covered car deck. But it doesn’t address some other concerns, such as minimal food service.

What’s called a design study report for the Alaska Class Shuttle Ferries was released Monday. Two ships are planned for Juneau, Haines and Skagway sailings.

Alaska Marine Highway spokesman Jeremy Woodrow says the report calls for a fully enclosed car deck. Earlier plans left the rear part open.

“The point of shielding the car deck from extreme weather really isn’t the main reason behind it. More of a reason is that the additional costs really wouldn’t be that much to the point where it would be worthwhile leaving it open,” Woodrow says.

Longtime passengers and community leaders objected to an open deck, saying salt spray and ice would damage vehicles.

Skagway tugboat captain Mike Korsmo serves on the state’s Marine Transportation Advisory Board. He likes the change.

“That’s a good thing. I think that was kind of a clear message that they got, that people didn’t want to see an open car deck,” Korsmo says.

Size and capacity requirements have not changed much since the last proposal.

Shuttle ferries would be 280 feet long, larger than the small ferry LeConte, which sails the route part of the year.

They will have indoor seating for 300 passengers and parking for about 50 cars and trucks.

A larger ferry design discarded late last year called for several small quiet rooms for families, the sick, or the elderly.

That’s been dropped. But Woodrow says some options remain.

“There’s going to be a theater lounge as well as a children’s area, a family area. And then there’s going to be what’s called a library or a quiet room as well that kind of acts as … the observation lounge, which tends to be a quieter area,” Woodrow says.

Plans continue to call for a small food court and vending machines.

Korsmo understands the need to save money, but says passengers will miss having a full kitchen.

“I took pictures this winter of the lineups on the LeConte of people waiting for food. So I’m sure it’s going to be somewhat of a letdown to the traveling public, especially in the wintertime,” Korsmo says.

A drawing of the earlier, larger proposed Alaska Class Ferry from Elliott Bay Design Group.

The ships are designed to sail 12-hour days, not overnight. The design will include bow and stern doors to allow faster roll-on, roll-off loading and unloading. Side doors will allow docking at more terminals.

The latest cost estimate is $112.2 million for both ferries. That’s $5 million more than the previous figure, but still below the $117 million allocated by the Legislature.
In addition to Lynn Canal, the shuttle ships could sail to northern Southeast villages or Prince William Sound communities.

Public hearings are planned for August 20th, 21st and 22nd in Juneau, Skagway and Haines.

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