U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan announced the Federal Transit Administration is awarding more than $285 million to Alaska’s ferry system from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which serves more than 30 communities across 3,500 miles of coastline.
The funding, all awarded to the Alaska Marine Highway System, is designated to replacing the Tustemena, upgrading ferry dock infrastructure in rural communities, modernizing four vessels, procuring an electric ferry, designing a new mainliner vessel, and for generating sustainable operations.
Last year, an electric ferry set a new record by traveling 50 miles on a charge. The Finnish company Danfoss Editron reported that the ferry Ellen set a distance record with the trip, which may become included in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The price for building that ferry was 40 percent higher than than a conventional vessel, but operating costs are reported to be 75 percent lower, according to reports. It is estimated that the electric ferry will save the release of 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
The distance between Juneau and Haines is about 80 nautical miles, which exceeds the current world record. The distance between Skagway and Haines is about 16 miles, and thus the ferry is more suited for that short hop, which is now served by a private ferry in the summer.
Some $46 million was awarded for the Alaska electric ferry project, and the state will put in more than $11 million as its part of the match.
Another $68 million was awarded to the state to replace the aging Tustemena. The cost of that build is estimated to be more than $85 million, requiring a state match. Because it’s federal money, the Ketchikan Shipyard, where Vigor Alaska built the Tazlina and Hubbard, will have to compete for the work with shipyards in Washington and Mississippi.
The funding was made possible by H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that both Alaska senators voted for and in which Senator Murkowski played a lead role writing and negotiating for Alaska. On Nov. 5, 2021, Congress passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, driving the national debt to historic levels.
A list of the ferry grants for Alaska is at this link.
Funding Details: (Over $285 Million is being awarded to six Alaska Marine Highway System projects.)
- $72 Million for the Modernization of Four Critical AMHS Vessels Necessary for Service and Environmental Benefits.
Total Project Cost: $90,081,932
Federal Request: $72,065,546
State Funded Match: $18,016,386
Announced Award: $72,065,545
- $68 Million to Replace the M/V Tustumena Vessel Serving Rural Southwest Alaska.
Total Project Cost: $85,610,480
Federal Request: $68,488,384
State Funded Match: $17,122,096
Announced Award: $68,488,384.00
Total Project Cost: $56,848,018
Federal Request: $45,478,414
State Funded Match: $11,369,604
Announced Award: $45,483,214.00
- $46 Million to Cultivate a Systems Approach to Sustainable Transportation by Implementing Climate Responsive Ferry Vessel Options.
Total Project Cost: $57,767,509
Federal Request: $46,214,008
State Funded Match: $11,553,502
Announced Award: $46,214,008
Total Project Cost: $10,739,520
Federal Request: $8,591,616
State Funded Match: $2,147,904
Announced Award: $8,591,616
Total Project Cost: $89,647,600
Federal Request: $44,823,800
State Funded Match: $44,823,800
Announced Award: $44,823,800
