Alaska’s ferry system is considering building a new terminal in Saxman, three miles south-east of Ketchikan.
Officials from the state believe that moving the terminal would allow the ferry system an additional daily sailing to and fro Metlakatla.
The idea will be discussed by officials at upcoming public hearings.
Lituya , an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry, transports vehicles and passengers to and from Metlakatla two times a day, five days per week.
The 45-minute journey down the channel takes only 45 minutes. At Ketchikan’s West End, the Lituya docks at a ferry terminal. However, there is talk of tying the Lituya up at the Saxman Seaport six miles south from the current terminal.
Saxman’s city administrator is Lori Richmond. She stated that six miles could make all the difference.
She said that Saxman is, like, 83% Native and Metlakatla is 100% Native, so there are a lot family members who travel back and forth between these two areas, villages. “So the ferry dock is located in the middle Ketchikan. Families have difficulty getting together because they can’t afford taxis and/or they have to pay more to transport their vehicles on the ferry.
The future Three Bears Alaska grocery shop is also located in the same area as the Saxman Seaport. Richmond stated that travelers will also appreciate the convenience of being close to their destination.
She stated that “Metlakatla will have much faster access to groceries, hardware, and sporting goods.” They won’t have to look for a ride from the ferry terminal, which is located in the middle Ketchikan, to three different stores. We’ll have them all down at (the) Three Bears.
A small boat launch as well as the terminal would be located at the seaport. Richmonds believes there is potential funding from the Statewide Transportation Improvement Project program. Richmond stated that Saxman initially approached DOT to create a dock for commercial vessels at the seaport.
She explained that they were unable to quickly fix the money. “But then, they found enough money so maybe they can retrofit the seaport now.”
Shannon McCarthy, spokesperson for Alaska Marine Highway System, stated that the Southeast Conference regional economic development group is leading the initiative.
McCarthy stated that “We are supporting Southeast Conference efforts.” “The Southeast Conference is funding a preliminary design and we will then contribute $500,000.”
PND Engineering will design the preliminary design. McCarthy stated that representatives from this company will be visiting Ketchikan next Wednesday.
She suggested that a Saxman terminal would allow Metlakatla to be added to the ferry system’s daily runs.
Albert Smith, Metlakatla Mayor, said that there are pros and cons to building a Saxman terminal in Lituya.
Smith said, “If it works out then we can have more runs during the day and earlier in the morning, run one later in the evening and then run the whole day.”
He said that moving the terminal away from hotels and other businesses could cause problems.
Smith stated that Smith was merely referring to the fact that it is further from town. “You can walk across the street from the ferry landing area to The Landing Hotel, or, if necessary, walk a short distance to the airport ferry.
Smith stated that if the idea is advanced, it could become a problem.
He said, “So you know there’s transport stuff we have to figure out.” “And many other things, I believe that we can work out. But communication will be the key.”
On Jan. 25, representatives from the Southeast Conference and the state Department of Transportation will host a meeting in Saxman, where they will discuss the idea. Metlakatla will host a public meeting at 6 p.m. on the next day.
