Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan - 2014 draft

[Name Omitted]

The new draft Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan is out.

[Low Light Mike]

This important draft plan was recently released by the State of Alaska.

Link HERE

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Media highlights were new roads from existing towns, to reach new terminals (in order to get some shorter routes, such as to the West side of Baranof Island instead of into Sitka).

And there's some vessel news too.

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An excerpt summary:

The proposed plan includes a handful of big projects in the mid- to long-term – some that are not expected to be built within the twenty-year planning horizon of this update. However, the majority of the plan includes actions to maintain and improve the service provided today. The following components are included in the plan’s recommendations:

• Maintenance of existing AMHS routes

• Retirement of one, two or three mainline ferries depending on available funding and travel demand

• Replacement of other ferries as they reach the end of their useful life

• Completion of the highway to Katzehin and initiation of shuttle ferry service in upper Lynn Canal

• Construction of a road from Kake to Petersburg

• Construction of a road from Sitka to Warm Spring Bay and a ferry terminal.

• Construction of an airport in Angoon

[Low Light Mike]

Some more excerpts from this draft plan:

The AMHS SE Fleet has three aging mainliners: the Malaspina, Taku, and Matanuska. All three vessels should be replaced or retired by 2024.

In 2012, the Governor directed the design and construction of two 280’ Alaska Class ferries to take the place of one mainliner. This leaves two mainliners for which the SATP recommendations need to address.

The system has previously carried higher traffic volumes with fewer ferries than are available today. The system may be able to continue successfully without replacing both of these remaining mainliners.

An Alaska State Rail Plan study is underway to provide an overall plan for state railroad development. This effort will also evaluate the need for future rail development to the ports of Haines and Skagway in response to significant potential for mineral development in the Yukon.

Chenega or Fairweather to be retired?

The retirement or replacement of the three oldest mainline ferries (Malaspina, Matanuska, and Taku) and one fast ferry are key recommendations.

A highway from Juneau to Katzehin (East Lynn Canal Highway) also remains a SATP priority. This extension of Glacier Highway addresses a high traffic volume corridor with a seasonal demand peak that can be most economically served by a road connection. This project will shorten the
existing ferry route to enable two Alaska Class ferries to provide much more frequent service between the three communities of Juneau, Haines and Skagway at lower cost to the user. The road will enable as much as a tenfold increase in travel in and out of Juneau thus improving access between the Capital City, the Yukon and Interior Alaska.

The road will be designated as a National Highway System (NHS) route due to its significance in moving traffic between communities and improving the connection of the Capital City, regional ferry terminal, Juneau International Airport, and the continental road system.

Note my underline for emphasis, re Sitka highway

the Department proposes a road between Sitka and Warm Spring Bay along with a ferry terminal at Warm Spring Bay to improve access to Sitka.

Actual construction is not anticipated within the 20 year SATP plan period, therefore no operational changes would occur. The Draft SATP recommends this improvement continue to be included in future SATP updates, with an EIS and design completed within the current SATP 20 year period.


Ultimately, the Warm Spring Bay road and ferry terminal will save approximately 120 nautical miles and 12-hours (round trip) of ferry travel by allowing the ferries to serve Sitka from Chatham Strait instead of transiting through the serpentine Peril, Olga, and Neva Straits to Sitka.

Additionally, there are no tide or current constraints as there are with transiting all the way to Sitka. Sitka would no longer have direct ferry service “into town”; travelers would travel to the Warm Spring Bay ferry terminal to catch the ferry. The additional driving time will be easily offset by the savings (hours) in time aboard the ferry to points north or south. Upon completion the Warm Bay Spring road should be designated as an NHS route due to its significance in connecting a major airport with a major ferry route.

[Low Light Mike]

More excerpts:

Two Alaska Class ferries (ACFs) are in queue with construction expected to begin in 2014 and delivery of the first vessel expected in 2016. This plan proposes the ACFs operate in Lynn Canal, complementing the existing feeder ferry system. Upon arrival of the second ACF the
Matanuska or Taku can be retired.

The vessels will not have crew quarters, staterooms, or a galley. Because they do not have crew quarters the new ferries must operate as 12-hr dayboats or shuttle ferries.

They will have a food-service area similar to the current fast ferries, and will provide comfortable basic transportation. Terminal facilities at Haines and Skagway would be modified to provide end-loading capability in addition to the existing side load capability.

A Haines to Skagway shuttle ferry would be constructed to begin seasonal service in 2020. This shuttle will allow both ACFs to provide service from Katzehin.

The shuttle ferry (18 vehicles, 149 passengers) will make two 1-hour trips between the communities daily.


A Katzehin ferry terminal would be constructed as part of the East Lynn Canal Highway project.

One new mainliner would be constructed and act as a replacement for two mainliners. If traffic demand warrants and sufficient funding is available, a second new mainliner may be added. It is important to begin design soon to be ready if a replacement ferry is needed earlier than
anticipated.


Finally, a new fast ferry or conventional ferry (similar to the ACF)would be constructed as a replacement for one of the existing fast ferries, to be determined based on operational costs.

Proposed Chronological steps:

• 2016: The first ACF will likely homeport in Haines and alternate daily operations between Haines and Skagway and between Haines and Juneau
(approximately 40 weeks per year).


• 2017: The second ACF will likely be homeported in Juneau. One ACF will operate between Haines and Skagway with two trips per day in the peak season and as needed in the winter months. The second vessel will operate between Juneau and Haines with seven trips a week in the peak months and enough in the off-season to cover demand.

Both vessels will operate approximately 40 weeks per year. The Matanuska or Taku can be retired resulting in cost savings to the AMHS system.
Normal peak traffic in Lynn Canal between Juneau, Haines, and Skagway can be covered by the two ACFs.

2017: With the arrival of the second ACF and the retirement of the Matanuska or Taku, service to Prince Rupert will change. Options include one or more of the following: using the Malaspina with a Safety of Life at Sea9 (SOLAS) waiver, operating some Kennicott Cross Gulf service from Prince Rupert, and/or reducing service to Prince Rupert.

2031: Replacement of a fast ferry. Replacement of an older fast ferry should show savings in operational costs and an increase in reliability.

[Low Light Mike]

Another excerpt:

Mainliners from Bellingham and Prince Rupert will turn-around in Juneau and not continue to Katzehin, Haines, or Skagway.

Customers desiring to transit to Haines or Skagway will travel from Juneau to Katzehin first (or vice versa). If demand warrants, commercial bus service may be provided between terminals.

[Kahloke]

Thanks for making this its own thread.  I should have done that back on June 26th when Kevin McCleary posted the link to the draft plan in the Alaska Ferries General Thread.  It's an interesting read.  The road extension projects and new ferry terminals really piqued my curiosity and had me looking at Google Maps to see where all of these locations are.  The East Lynn Canal Highway will certainly change the fabric of ferry service between Juneau, Haines, and Skagway, and even the mainline service from points south and Bellingham when Auke Bay becomes the terminus for those vessels.

One item that interested me is the new proposed road on Kupreanof Island from Kake to the Wrangell Narrows with a shuttle ferry to Petersburg from there.  Like the East Lynn Canal Highway project, they have set 2020 as the completion date.  Eliminating the Kake stop will undoubtedly save the ferry system some time, and the new road/shuttle ferry will open up Petersburg to Kake residents.  they can shop there, or take a ferry from Petersburg, or fly out of Petersburg.  Alaska Airlines has regular service to the airport there.

[Starsteward]

Jul 31, 2014 17:36:16 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

This important draft plan was recently released by the State of Alaska.

Link HERE

------------

Media highlights were new roads from existing towns, to reach new terminals (in order to get some shorter routes, such as to the West side of Baranof Island instead of into Sitka).

And there's some vessel news too.

----------

An excerpt summary:

The proposed plan includes a handful of big projects in the mid- to long-term – some that are not expected to be built within the twenty-year planning horizon of this update. However, the majority of the plan includes actions to maintain and improve the service provided today. The following components are included in the plan’s recommendations:

• Maintenance of existing AMHS routes

• Retirement of one, two or three mainline ferries depending on available funding and travel demand

• Replacement of other ferries as they reach the end of their useful life

• Completion of the highway to Katzehin and initiation of shuttle ferry service in upper Lynn Canal

• Construction of a road from Kake to Petersburg

• Construction of a road from Sitka to Warm Spring Bay and a ferry terminal.

• Construction of an airport in Angoon

          Thanks for the 'link' to the Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan.

          It does make for interesting reading once one stops giggling at the snafu in the letter written by Andy Hughes, Regional Planning Chief on official State of Alaska

          letterhead.

          As one can clearly see, Mr. Hughes stumbles right out of the gate. I would hope that being the top suit of regional planning would include some attention to

          detail?

[Low Light Mike]

Aug 6, 2014 9:14:59 GMT -8 Starsteward said:

It does make for interesting reading once one stops giggling at the snafu in the letter written by Andy Hughes, Regional Planning Chief on official State of Alaska letterhead. As one can clearly see, Mr. Hughes stumbles right out of the gate. I would hope that being the top suit of regional planning would include some attention to detail?

haha, it took me a bit of time to spot that one.