The Alaska Department of Transportation is accepting bids to refurbish the M/V Tustumena. The ferry, which travels through the Aleutian Islands on the Alaska Marine Highway System, was first commissioned in 1964.  The DOT estimates the repairs and upgrades will cost 5 to 7 million dollars, which will be paid for by the federal government. Construction is planned for this winter and set to finish in April 2013.

The DOT is taking bids until August 16.