DOT&PF Notice to Begin Engineering & Environmental Studies: Juneau – Cascade Point Ferry Terminal Stage 1 Design-Build

Project # HSHWY00031 The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proposing to construct a new access road and terminal pad for the uplands development stage of a new ferry terminal facility at Cascade Point, located at the northern end of Glacier Highway in the Berners Bay area, approximately 33 miles northwest of downtown Juneau, Alaska. The Cascade Point Ferry Terminal Stage 1 project is the initial uplands development phase of a multi-phase project to construct a new ferry terminal at Cascade Point. This Stage 1 project is to prepare an access road and a material storage/construction staging area pad that will support future construction phase(s) of the ferry terminal project. The purpose of the future ferry terminal is to enhance operational efficiency and improve schedule reliability for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) while better serving nearby communities. This project is needed at the proposed location to reduce ferry transit times to Haines and Skagway by establishing a closer terminal location along the northern Lynn Canal route. DOT&PF is proposing the following activities: • Construction of an approximately one-half mile long, new ferry terminal access road from the end of Glacier Highway to the uplands terminal pad,• Development of a new approximately three-acre gravel-surfaced pad at the ferry terminal uplands site,• Retaining wall construction for the terminal pad,• Bridge construction over Cascade Creek,• Installation of approximately six new culverts along the new access road, and• Quarry rock blasting and excavation for development of construction aggregate materials and for manufacturing armor rock to be stockpiled on the uplands terminal pad for use in a future project phase (breakwater and marine causeway construction). Loud noise would be temporarily generated during the construction for blasting activities and potentially for pile driving in uplands. Once a potential construction schedule is developed, DOT&PF will provide additional public notice for potential delays or detours. Construction is anticipated to begin in late Summer 2026 and continue into 2027. The proposed project area has been mapped by FEMA and is located within Zone X, or area of minimal flood hazard. No floodplain impacts are anticipated from the Stage 1 project.Development of this proposed project would follow a process required for State-funded projects. Possible affected resources include wetlands, waters of the U.S., eagles, threatened and endangered species, and cultural or historic properties. The proposed project would comply with all applicable federal and state authorities. DOT&PF is soliciting comments on the proposed project. Your comments would help us evaluate potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of this project, as well as impacts to historic and cultural resources.Please submit your written comments to: Greg Cvitash, Environmental Quality Manager Michael L. Foster & Associates, Inc. 13135 Old Glenn Highway, Suite 200 Eagle River, AK 99577 Direct Phone: (907) 696-6244Main Phone: (907) 696-6200 Fax: (907) 696-6202 Email: gjc@mlfaalaska.com To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments via email, fax, or mailing address by Friday, January 9, 2026.Please note: This public comment period applies only to the Stage 1 uplands development phase of the Cascade Point Ferry Terminal project. It is not the end of public input for the overall project. A Stage 2 comment period will be announced as future phases are developed, and DOT&PF will continue public outreach at that time.It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and State of Alaska funds. DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you or someone you represent requires special accommodations in order to respond to this public notice, please call or email the project coordinator listed above, or call Alaska Relay at 711, or call (800) 770-8973 for TTY, (800) 770-8255 for voice, (800) 770-3919 for ASCII, (866) 355-6198 for STS. Ask the communications assistant to call the project coordinator listed above so arrangements can be made to assist you