Juneau, Alaska (AK)

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and is located in the Alaskan Panhandle. The State Legislature meets in the Territorial Building. Juneau is the only mainland state capital in the U.S. which cannot be accessed by road. It is not easily accessible from most of the rest of the state, a feature it shares with Honolulu, Hawaii. The only way to reach Juneau is via sea or air—a car or truck brought to Juneau must be put on a barge or ferry first. Currently the State of Alaska is considering a number of ways to improve transportation to and from Juneau, with a connecting road to Skagway being the preferred alternative. Local opinion on the matter is decidedly mixed, with some seeing the road as a vital link between Juneau and the rest of Alaska, and others having concerns about the environmental, social, and economic impacts it will have. If approved, construction of the road is slated to begin in 2006. Details can be found on the Juneau Access Project[1]official website. On August 10, 2005 The State DOT issued a press release announcing that the preferred alternative had changed to a partial road and fast ferry alternative - East Lynn Canal Highway to the Katzehin River with shuttles to Haines and Skagway. Juneau will remain unaccessible by road.

There are several glaciers near hiking trails (including the Mendenhall Glacier), one bridge to Douglas Island, and many dead-end roads. Scheduled airline service is provided at Juneau International Airport. Seaplanes also offer regular service to most other Southeast Alaska communities, and Juneau is a central port for the Alaska Marine Highway and the port of registry for some of its ships.