Workers are undertaking a list of repairs to the Skagway ferry dock under an emergency contract, with no reopening date announced as of Monday, Aug. 24.
The Alaska Marine Highway System dock was closed two weekends ago when cracks were discovered in the concrete abutment supporting the vehicle transfer bridge and passenger walkway.
Subsequent underwater inspections discovered further damage needing repair.
“The repair plan calls for replacing six anchor chains, stabilizing the terminal float and repairing the damaged concrete abutment,” according to an Alaska Department of Transportation press release Aug. 19.
“Crews are also preparing to remove the vehicle transfer bridge and passenger walkway. Their removal will provide the access needed to complete repairs to both the float and the landside abutment.”
State officials are coordinating with private passenger ferry operators that are providing passenger service to and from Skagway — which will not see a state ferry while the dock is out of service — but none of the private operators can accommodate vehicles.
The Skagway ferry office is open to assist passengers. For people driving between Skagway to Haines via Canada to catch an Alaska ferry in Haines, the vessels will remain in Haines longer, “where operationally feasible, to help accommodate the longer driving connection,” according to the Department of Transportation.
“We now have a clear path forward and are moving aggressively to put the contractors, equipment and materials in place,” said Marine Highway Director Craig Tornga. “Our goal is to restore service as quickly as possible, but the terminal will not reopen until the float is stable, the abutment is repaired and our engineers determine the facility is safe.”
