Alaska Department of Transportation Proposes Study of Ferry Terminal in Hyder
Photo Credit: USFWS
Currently accessible only by road from Stewart, British Columbia, the Southeast community of Hyder is the focus for a study to determine if building a ferry terminal and restoring service between Alaska and British Columbia is feasible.
Hyder, with a population of 47 as of 2023, and its Canadian sister city, Stewart, whose population is about 500, share history. Both are at the head of the roughly 70-mile Portland Canal, which forms part of the border between Alaska and Canada, and were founded when gold and silver was discovered in the area at the turn of the 1900s. Hyder is the only community in Alaska that doesn’t use the 907 area code; it receives electrical and telephone service from Canada and uses the British Columbia area code 250.
Restoring Community Connections
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proposing a reconnaissance study to evaluate the feasibility of constructing and operating a new ferry terminal to access Hyder and provide another option for entry into Canada. The proposed $250,000 project is identified in the department’s Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #2 as Project ID 34749. The public comment period on the amendment wrapped up March 20.
Current Issue
March 2025
Restoring ferry service between Alaska and British Columbia has been a priority for regional communities. However, significant regulatory complexities involving international safety standards, as well as compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act, have presented barriers to resuming service directly to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, according to DOT&PF. Prince Rupert is another roadhead located south of the Alaska Panhandle’s southernmost tip and was a regular stop for state ferries until 2019.
“A Hyder ferry terminal could restore key links to British Columbia while bypassing complex international regulations and funding constraints. We are committed to collaborating with stakeholders in Hyder, Stewart, Prince Rupert, and the Southeast Conference to explore this opportunity,” says DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson.
According to DOT&PF, local support for a Hyder ferry connection has been strong, with communities on both sides of the border emphasizing significant economic and social benefits, including increased tourism and improved access to essential services and infrastructure.
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