The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is advancing plans for a new ferry terminal at Cascade Point, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy works to bring access to Juneau’s capital city.
Located at Mile 42 of Glacier Highway, approximately 30 miles north of the current Auke Bay ferry terminal, the Cascade Point site would reduce travel times, improve schedule reliability, and lower operating costs for the Alaska Marine Highway System, according to DOT.
The terminal development stems from a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the State and Goldbelt, Inc., a Juneau Alaska Native corporation. Goldbelt owns the surrounding lands, and the agreement established a public-private partnership designed to promote economic opportunity.
DOT is now entering a design-build procurement process for Phase 1 of the terminal, using state funds previously appropriated for the Juneau Access project. These funds are restricted for use in the Lynn Canal corridor, making the Cascade Point project a suitable match without requiring new federal spending or triggering significant delays.
The Legislature’s final budget cut money from the Juneau Access project, but that can be vetoed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. There was originally over $40 million in a fund for the project — a fund that has been sitting there for more than a decade. The Senate Finance Committee in May took $37 million previously allocated for the project. The press release from the Department of Transportation indicates that the Dunleavy Administration is not going to allow that reappropriation of funds.
Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl, who sits on the Finance Committee, barely put up a fight for his district.
But Dunleavy appears to be forging ahead on Juneau Access. According to DOT, the proposed Cascade Point terminal will:
- Reduce round-trip transit times to Haines and Skagway by over two hours;
- Lower vessel fuel use and operating costs;
- Increase the ability of the AMHS to run more frequent trips during peak travel seasons;
- Improve schedule reliability by reducing exposure to challenging marine weather conditions.
These improvements align with findings from the 2020 AMHS Reshaping Work Group Report, which recommended Cascade Point as a viable way to modernize service.
The 2045 AMHS Long-Range Plan also noted Cascade Point as a potential future asset, pending feasibility analysis. That technical work has now confirmed the site meets engineering standards for ferry operations.
Cascade Point is not intended to replace the Auke Bay terminal but rather to supplement it, offering greater operational flexibility and resilience. Officials say the dual-terminal model will allow the ferry system to adapt more effectively to seasonal surges and unforeseen service interruptions.
The concept for a terminal at Cascade Point has been under discussion for nearly two decades and gained new momentum in recent years. Since 2022, DOT and Goldbelt have worked together on environmental reviews, engineering designs, and land use planning.
As the project progresses, DOT says it remains committed to public interest and engagement in the planning process.
“Cascade Point reflects smart planning, strong collaboration, and the Governor’s direction to deliver meaningful transportation improvements for Southeast Alaska,” Commissioner Ryan Anderson said.
More information on the design-build contract and project timeline is expected to be released in the coming weeks.