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Ketchikan Indian Community
Background / Program Administration & Staff
The Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) is located on the southwestern coast of Revillagigedo Island and is accessible by either airplane or ferry. Ketchikan functions as a major port of entry in Southeast Alaska. The economic base includes fishing, tourism (including cruise ships), government and logging.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough area population is 13,670, which includes the City of Ketchikan (population 7845). The KIC tribal population is 4,800. The area covers 3.4 square miles of land and 0.8 miles of water.
Currently KIC has no full time transportation planners or engineers. Recently the KIC hired two engineer consultants for a subdivision project (see below).
Transportation System
Surface Transportation
Ketchikan serves as the first port of call in Alaska for cruise ships and Alaska Marine Highway vessels. Harbor and docking facilities include a breakwater, a deep draft dock, five small boat harbors, a dry dock and ship repair yard, boat launch, and a ferry terminal shared by the Inter-Island Ferry Authority and Alaska Marine Highway.
Air Transportation - The State-owned Ketchikan International Airport serves Ketchikan and the surrounding region. The 7,500' runway is paved and lighted with daily scheduled jet service. The airport is located on Gravina Island, which is a short ferry ride from Ketchikan, which is on Revillagigedo Island. Additionally, there are four floatplane-landing facilities.
Mass Transportation - The Ketchikan Gateway Borough runs a fixed-route bus service, "The Bus," which also services Saxman. Service was recently reduced due to fiscal constraints.
Maintenance
The City of Ketchikan and the State of Alaska are responsible for road maintenance.
Planning & Proposed Projects
There is not a tribal role in local transportation planning process. KIC does not believe they have any projects that would actually receive funding through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) process.
KIC is interested in a crosswalk in front of KIC community services building, adjacent to the bus stop (across the street) that serves the center. This is a state route with high average daily traffic and is considered dangerous to cross. Due to the proximity of the bus stop, KIC community center patrons frequently cross the state route in an area with no crosswalk instead of walking over a block to the nearest crosswalk.
KIC is in the process of developing a 3.94-acre, low-income housing subdivision at "the top of the hill" in Ketchikan. The design work is significantly underway. KIC is working with the City of Ketchikan regarding site development. Additionally, they are submitting a request for planning funds from BIA. This project will need transit service, especially for dependent and elderly members of the community.
Coordination with Federal/State/Local governments
KIC works with BIA, Indian Health Service (IHS), the City of Ketchikan and Village Safe Water program (State of Alaska). KIC has not received any funds through the STIP.
Inventory
Currently the KIC has submitted 0.3 miles on the BIA inventory. They are applying for 3.2 additional miles (Fairview Road) for the subdivision project.
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