Knik Arm ferry
Encyclopedia
The proposed Knik Arm ferry or Cook Inlet ferry, christened the M/V Susitna would be a year-round passenger and auto ferry
across Knik Arm between Anchorage
and Point MacKenzie
in Alaska
. The project is expected to cost $44 million, a fraction of the cost of the more controversial proposed Knik Arm Bridge
that would connect the same two communities. A special ice-breaking
twin-hull ship was designed by Lockheed-Martin Corporation to serve the route, with capacity for 20 to 28 automobiles and 115 to 150 passengers. It was built by Alaska Ship and Drydock, Inc., in Ketchikan. Design and construction costs were subsidized by the United States Navy
which hopes to study the technology for its potential as a new type of expeditionary landing craft
, also called an "E-craft". Basic construction of the ferry was completed and it was christened the M/V Susitna in June of 2010, but it has not yet been put into service as a ferry.
As of May of 2011, the ferry is still sitting in port in Ketchikan, hundreds of miles from Knik Arm. Although a ferry terminal at Point Mackenzie is nearly complete, there is not yet an agreement on a site for the Anchorage terminal. In 2008 then mayor of the Municiplaity of Anchorage Mark Begich
, frustrated with the lack of progress, terminated the 2002 agreement with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, who now bear sole responsibility for the project. Several sites have been proposed, and each time there have been objections. One site could possibly interfere with the endangered Beluga whale population in Cook Inlet. Another was deemed to close to the oil "tank farm" at the Port of Anchorage and was rejected out of security concerns. A third site was objected to by commercial fishermen who feared it would interfere with their operations. Another site was rejected because the ferry needed more clearance than is available there. The borough is now considering a new idea for the already-rejected site at Ship Creek
. The proposed new location is in an industrial area already used for offshore docking of tugboats, there is no harbor. The borough has indicated it is willing to develop the site, but currently there is no access for vehicle loading and the site would be for walk-on passengers only, which would be of limited utility as the ferry was supposed to provide commuter access to to the Mat-Su population centers, not pedestrian access to the lightly populated Point Mackenzie area.
In August 2011 the Borough government was informed they were expected to take possession of the ship within a month, and that they would be required to provide berthing fees and other expenses even if the vessel is not in service, an estimated annual cost of 1.3 million dollars. Because of the continuing logistical problems the borough is considering several alternative plans, including leasing the ship to third party. They were informed that if they sold it outright they would need to return all Federal grant funds used for its construction, an estimated 21 million dollars.
Transit time across Knik Arm is expected to be about 12 minutes in each direction, with a similar amount of time required for loading and unloading. The subsidized one way fare is expected to be in the range of $10 per person or $25 for automobiles.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
across Knik Arm between Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
and Point MacKenzie
Point MacKenzie, Alaska
Point MacKenzie is a census-designated place in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the Anchorage, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 111...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The project is expected to cost $44 million, a fraction of the cost of the more controversial proposed Knik Arm Bridge
Knik Arm Bridge
The Knik Arm Bridge is a controversial proposed highway crossing of the Knik Arm portion of Cook Inlet, north of Anchorage, Alaska. The project has also been referred to as "Don Young's Way", after Alaskan Congressman Don Young who strongly supported the project when he was Chair of the House...
that would connect the same two communities. A special ice-breaking
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
twin-hull ship was designed by Lockheed-Martin Corporation to serve the route, with capacity for 20 to 28 automobiles and 115 to 150 passengers. It was built by Alaska Ship and Drydock, Inc., in Ketchikan. Design and construction costs were subsidized by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
which hopes to study the technology for its potential as a new type of expeditionary landing craft
Landing craft
Landing craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII...
, also called an "E-craft". Basic construction of the ferry was completed and it was christened the M/V Susitna in June of 2010, but it has not yet been put into service as a ferry.
As of May of 2011, the ferry is still sitting in port in Ketchikan, hundreds of miles from Knik Arm. Although a ferry terminal at Point Mackenzie is nearly complete, there is not yet an agreement on a site for the Anchorage terminal. In 2008 then mayor of the Municiplaity of Anchorage Mark Begich
Mark Begich
Mark Peter Begich is the junior United States Senator from Alaska and a member of the Democratic Party. A former mayor of Anchorage, he served on the Anchorage Assembly for almost ten years prior to being elected mayor in 2003...
, frustrated with the lack of progress, terminated the 2002 agreement with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, who now bear sole responsibility for the project. Several sites have been proposed, and each time there have been objections. One site could possibly interfere with the endangered Beluga whale population in Cook Inlet. Another was deemed to close to the oil "tank farm" at the Port of Anchorage and was rejected out of security concerns. A third site was objected to by commercial fishermen who feared it would interfere with their operations. Another site was rejected because the ferry needed more clearance than is available there. The borough is now considering a new idea for the already-rejected site at Ship Creek
Ship Creek
Ship Creek is an Alaskan river that flows from the Chugach Mountains into Cook Inlet. The Port of Anchorage at the mouth of Ship Creek gave its name to the city of Anchorage that grew up nearby. The river lies entirely within the limits of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska....
. The proposed new location is in an industrial area already used for offshore docking of tugboats, there is no harbor. The borough has indicated it is willing to develop the site, but currently there is no access for vehicle loading and the site would be for walk-on passengers only, which would be of limited utility as the ferry was supposed to provide commuter access to to the Mat-Su population centers, not pedestrian access to the lightly populated Point Mackenzie area.
In August 2011 the Borough government was informed they were expected to take possession of the ship within a month, and that they would be required to provide berthing fees and other expenses even if the vessel is not in service, an estimated annual cost of 1.3 million dollars. Because of the continuing logistical problems the borough is considering several alternative plans, including leasing the ship to third party. They were informed that if they sold it outright they would need to return all Federal grant funds used for its construction, an estimated 21 million dollars.
Transit time across Knik Arm is expected to be about 12 minutes in each direction, with a similar amount of time required for loading and unloading. The subsidized one way fare is expected to be in the range of $10 per person or $25 for automobiles.