JUNEAU, Alaska — Gov. Mike Dunleavy has signed legislation approving a bond package for the Alaska Railroad to build a new cruise ship dock in Seward, Alaska.
It is the second straight year the state legislature approved the funding, which Dunleavy vetoed last year because the House of Representatives vote took place after a constitutional deadline to end the session. This year, the House passed the bill by a 36-0 vote on Feb. 17; the Senate approved it by a 17-0 vote on Wednesday, March 5. Dunleavy signed the legislation, which authorizes up to $135 million in revenue bonds, on Thursday, March 6.
“We’re excited to advance this needed project with the strong support of the Governor, the Legislature and the City of Seward,” Alaska Railroad CEO Bill O’Leary said in a press release. “The existing dock has driven economic activity for decades but is at the end of its useful life. House Bill 65 will allow the railroad to make an investment in replacing this public infrastructure that will be paid for by the private industry it serves, and bring economic benefits to communities across Southeast, South central and Interior Alaska as we ensure cross-Gulf cruise ships can continue to dock in Seward.”
Said Dunleavy, “The new cruise ship dock in Seward will maintain Alaska’s status as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations.”
The new floating barge dock with double-berth pier will be 748 feet long and 100 feet wide and will be able to accommodate Quantum-class cruise ships. Construction will begin this fall, following the end of the 2025 cruise season, and is expected to be complete in time for the 2026 cruise season. As outlined in 2024, the project also includes a new 60,000-foot terminal building [see “Alaska Railroad seeks funding …,” Trains News Wire, April 17, 2024].
I would have rather seen all that funding going to the proposed Alaska-Alberta RR (A2A) project where tourists could have the option of traveling in overnight passenger service through the scenic North American wilderness, as well as the boosting of the North American economy from RR freight service.
So, they are going to build this through the winter? I would think that is awful difficult in Alaska, and be ready for the 26 cruise season, Seems to be a very optimistic build schedule.
2026 cruise season doesn’t start until the end of May. Since the tides vary widely, they will simply drive pilings for the floating dock to move on and to tie up the ships.
Alaska Railroad will be able to transport passengers north to various excursions. The current terminal is a former freight shack and will be demolished (if it hasnt already).
So they will have all this summer to perform their work.
?? floating barge dog ??
dog = dock