Juneau, Alaska is preparing for a fifth cruise ship dock with construction to begin Summer 2027. The Juneau Assembly and Huna Totem Corporation signed the tidelands lease agreement for the development and Susan Bell of Huna Totem Corp., confirmed the project will be completed in time for the 2028 Alaska cruise season. Huna Totem Corp., is the Alaska Native village corporation behind the project.
“There’s still a lot of detailed engineering and design that needs to happen, and we needed to be sure that we do this sequentially,” Bell said. “Signing the lease allows us to have confidence in moving forward with securing steel, securing the float that is needed for the dock.”
The construction project, which was approved by the Juneau planning commission in 2023, is estimated to cost about $150 million. The dock will be constructed in Gastineau Channel in a larger waterfront development–Aak’w Landing. It will include underground parking, a culture and science center, and dining and retail spaces. It will also feature a boardwalk and a space of events and concerts.
Huna Totem says the new port will help to disperse cruise passenger traffic and help reduce road congestion in the downtown Juneau area. Critics argue it could make congestion worse and express concern that the added ships could have a negative impact on air quality.
Bell insists that Huna Totem is committed to listening to concerns from the public stating, “This was built on years of input, and I think Huna Totem will continue making sure that we’re continuing that dialog and getting people’s input.”
Huna Totem plans to present its plans to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its luncheon on Thursday, May 7, 2026.