The Skagway port in Alaska, operated by the Alaska Marine Highway System, has been shut down indefinitely due to significant structural damage sustained by the docking facility. Consequently, all ferry operations to and from Skagway have been halted.
Additionally, the South Klondike Highway, which connects Whitehorse to Skagway, is experiencing closures between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. daily from Carcross, Yukon, to the B.C. border following rock slides last Tuesday.
The port’s vehicle bridge and passenger walkway showed initial signs of cracking on Thursday, leading to increased monitoring by staff. Subsequently, on Saturday, the Alaska Department of Transportation engineers made the decision to close the terminal due to further cracking.
To manage the situation, technical experts from the Alaska Department of Transportation are en route to Skagway to oversee response efforts and assist local staff. Commercial divers will soon conduct underwater inspections to assess damage, particularly on the anchor chains, while electricians are in the process of disconnecting all electrical power to the float. The removal of the damaged bridge and walkway is anticipated to be completed by Wednesday.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident, with more details to be shared once assessments are concluded. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries as a result of the structural damage.
Emphasizing passenger and crew safety as the top priority, Alaska Marine Highway System’s public information officer, Gabe Strong, stated that operations will resume only after a thorough inspection and full security assurance of the facility.
While no specific timeline for resuming services has been established, updates will be provided following the completion of damage assessments. The Alaska Marine Highway System is actively reaching out to passengers with existing reservations to facilitate refunds and help arrange alternative travel plans.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/skagway-ferry-service-suspended-9.7309255)