Alaska's Matanuska Ferry: History or Scrap?

0:00Alaska's government is putting its oldest ferry, the Matanuska, up for disposal. This vessel started carrying passengers in 1963 and has been the last of the original three mainline ferries in state hands. Right now, it serves as a floating hotel for workers in Ketchikan after major damage was found during repairs in 2022. State officials say fixing it for basic service would cost at least $45 million, and up to $132 million for. International routes, disposing of it would save about $800,000 a month in expenses. They're facing a $78 million shortfall in the ferry budget because a key federal grant from a Biden-era infrastructure bill hasn't. Come through yet under the Trump administration. Lawmakers had counted on that funding, but the program stopped taking new applications despite money still available. Ferry leaders lobbied in Washington last month and heard applications might open by late March, though that hasn't happened. To keep things running, they're planning to borrow from next year's budget and hopes the grant arrives by fall.

1:03The state wants ideas that honor the ferry's history, like turning it into a museum, training vessel, or tourism spot scrapping, is allowed but not, preferred. Proposes are due by April 14, and anyone boycotting Israel is disqualified per recent order. Meanwhile, the two sister ships met mixed fates. One sold cheap and scrapped overseas. The other bought by locals for worker housing after failed free offers. Officials expected disposal process to take months as they sort through options to plug the budget gap. Stay informed with Anchorage News today. AI-powered updates.