Amhs M/V tustumena replacement vessel

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities received a $793,656.44 Project Grant award from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) on August 1, 2025. The award funds the design and construction of a replacement ocean-going class ferry vessel to replace the M/V Tustumena, which currently serves south central and southeast Alaska coastal communities. This project supports the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), a critical multimodal transportation network component that connects over 30 coastal communities across the state.

The replacement vessel project represents a strategic infrastructure investment in Alaska's maritime transportation system, enabling continued reliable service delivery to remote and coastal communities that depend on ferry connectivity for economic development, essential services access, and quality of life. As part of the federally assisted, state-administered Highway Planning and Construction program, this award aligns with FHWA's broader authorization under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support comprehensive transportation infrastructure improvements, including multimodal connectivity enhancements and transportation system modernization across diverse U.S. regions.

Project description

Construct a replacement ferry to service south central and southeast alaska coastal communities. Vessel will be ocean going class to replace the M/V tustumena.