The state Department of Transportation will hold a meeting in Haines Oct 6. on the Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan.
An “open house” meeting will be held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Haines assembly chambers, followed by a public meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The presentations are intended to discuss six alternatives regarding transportation issues in Southeast. Four focus on maintaining and improving ferry services, one investigates a status-quo plan, and one envisions a road-focused future, including elimination of the Bellingham route, reliance on shuttle ferries, and a Juneau road extension to Katzehin.
DOT officials say they’re looking for places to cut ferry service, in response to declining government revenues and the region’s shrinking population. The plan was last updated in 2005. Final public comments are due by Nov. 4.