Fall/Winter ferry schedule expected by mid-July

The Alaska Marine Highway System expects to have its draft fall/winter 2019/2020 schedule available for public comment in mid-July — about six weeks later than last year due to budget uncertainty.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed the state operating budget on June 28, without further cuts to the ferry system appropriation beyond the $44 million already imposed by the Legislature. That represents almost one-third of the marine highway’s budget, likely requiring significant changes in service and/or…