A road out of Southeast?

Right now, the Alaska Marine Highway depends on a Canadian ferry terminal in Prince Rupert, and that link has been unreliable and expensive for years.

So the state is studying a brand new ferry terminal in Hyder, one that would connect directly to the road system without crossing into Canada.

Hyder already touches the highway through British Columbia, which makes it the only Alaska town with road access to the Lower 48.

The goal is simple: keep the southern ferry connection fully on U.S. soil and avoid foreign port rules, fees, and shutdowns.

DOT is spending about a quarter million dollars on early studies looking at dock design, water depth, dredging, and environmental concerns.

Early estimates put construction around thirty million dollars if it moves forward. If approved, it could take five to eight years before ferries start docking there.