(a) The department shall construct, purchase, or lease ferry terminal facilities at locations it selects for the loading and unloading of passengers, and vehicles under their own power, on and off ferries. The department shall repair and maintain these facilities. Construction and purchasing under this subsection are governed by AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code).

(b) The department may connect ferry terminal facilities with local highway systems.

(c) The department may adopt regulations governing the use of ferry terminal facilities by the public that it considers necessary and proper in the public interest. The department may charge a fee for the use of ferry terminal facilities, whether the use is under a permit or otherwise, and whether it is by one or more individuals.

(d) A person may construct a ferry terminal facility upon obtaining the approval of the department as to its location. A ferry terminal facility constructed by a person other than the department is subject to reasonable regulations governing its use that the department considers necessary and proper in the public interest.

(e) A ferry terminal facility may not be constructed without the approval of the department.

(f) A ferry terminal facility in existence and serving the public on January 1, 1959, is not affected by this section.

(g) In this section

(1) “department” means the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities;

(2) “ferry” means a vessel used in the common carriage of passengers and self-propelled vehicles in intrastate commerce.