Ferry restructuring draft report done, final not done

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Northern Economics has finished its draft report to the Department of Transportation on the “economic reshaping” of the Alaska Marine Highway System.

The report comes after DOT issued a request for proposals for a study and report on how the State’s ferry system, which is a significant financial burden to the State, can move forward with a smaller budget.

This year’s ferry expenditures cost the State $142.2 million, after a cut to last year’s $180.1 million budget.

Northern Economics delivered the draft AMHS Economic Reshaping report to DOT on Tuesday. But because of the volume of data and complexity of the issues, DOT has extended the due date for the final report, which is expected to be available for the public in December, after it is reviewed by the department for accuracy.