The Alaska Marine Highway Systemâs budget is slated to receive $76 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic aid to forward-fund ferry service for the next 18 months and help create long-term financial stability. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) announced the agreement in Ketchikan, presenting the plan in front of borough and city leaders from Ketchikan, Saxman and Metlakatla. The money for the AMHS will come from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021. Most of it will come from money allocated to the Federal Transportation Administration, which received $14 billion in COVID relief. Some will also come from the Federal Highway Administration, which received $10 billion for highway infrastructure programs.