Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17
03/18/2010 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB226 | |
| HB261 | |
| HB262 | |
| HB257 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 261 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 262 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 257 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 226-NAMING VETERANS' WAY IN MAT-SU
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 226, "An Act renaming Seldon Road and that
portion of Bogard Road that extends between Palmer and Meadow
Lakes, as Veterans' Way."
1:08:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, stated that HB 226 offers an opportunity to honor
veterans by naming a thoroughfare Veterans' Way.
1:09:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute for HB 226, labeled 26-LS0830\S, Kane, 2/22/10, as
the working document. There being no objection, Version S was
before the committee.
1:09:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER stated that he is proud of the military.
He remarked that veterans have sacrificed for our country and he
thought it was fitting to rename a portion of a roadway
"Veterans' Way." The expansion of the valley projects resulted
in an east to west roadway with three different names, which is
confusing to residents and motorists. The road is called Bogard
Road, Seldon Road, and East Colony School Road. He referred to
a map in members' packets with the Parks Highway highlighted in
orange, depicting the Parks Highway on the south and connects to
the Glenn Highway. The Parks highway continues through Wasilla,
with a cutoff that connects to Glenallen, and north to Houston
and to points beyond. He referred to the Wasilla-Palmer Highway
and remarked that it can currently take motorists a half hour to
traverse the seven mile portion of the roadway. He related that
the Bogard Road project when completed will connect to the Glenn
Highway and will become the proposed Veterans' Way. The map in
members' packets, which is highlighted in pink, starting from
the left, indicates Trunk Road, Seward Meridian Highway, Lucille
Road, and Church Roads. While the project is not yet completed,
the final road will become a major thoroughfare. He recently
visited businesses along the area and people were enthusiastic
about the name change. He did not receive any negative comments
on renaming the road. He explained that the proposed committee
substitute, Version S, would help clarify the physical
description of the proposed roadway since a portion of Bogard
Road that is not intended to be renamed was inadvertently
included in the bill.
1:13:30 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that the pink lines
depicted on the map are not current thoroughfares.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER answered that Trunk Road is an historical
road, but the road is currently a winding and narrow road. He
explained that Seward Meridian connects to Bogard Road, which is
projected to connect to the proposed Veterans' Way. Lucille and
Church Roads both connect to the proposed Veterans' Way. In
further response to Chair P. Wilson, he agreed that the proposed
Veterans' Way is depicted in green on the map in members'
packets.
1:14:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ pointed out a portion of Bogard Road will
continue to be named Bogard Road, but she noticed that Seldon
Road is replaced. She related that sometimes changing a name
can cause problems since the families may object.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER agreed. He stated that Seldon Road was
named in the last five years and the road was named after a
novel.
1:15:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether it is confusing to name a
portion of the road.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER explained that renaming the road would
actually resolve the confusion. He stated that the road name
changes from East Colony Way to Bogard Road to Seldon Road.
This entire stretch is proposed to be named Veterans' Way. He
maintained it is very confusing to motorists now. Additionally,
describing driving instructions to people can be quite
challenging, he stated.
1:16:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked whether part of the road will
continue to be Bogard Road.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER explained that the bill would rename the
east to west portion of Bogard Road, but the existing Bogard
Road between Valley Country Store at the intersection of East
Grumman Circle to Main Street to Wasilla Main Street will remain
Bogard Road.
1:18:03 PM
MARY SIROKY, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
explained that the DOT&PF does not have any issue with renaming
the road and views it as a policy call. She referred to the
DOT&PF fiscal note and attached plan for signage along the
proposed Veterans' Way. The total cost for the 88 signs is
anticipated to be $32,000. She reminded members that both
directions need signage at intersections. Since this is
designated as an historic road, some additional brown signs will
indicate the historic highway.
1:20:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked whether the signs will be
manufactured by the DOT&PF. He inquired as to whether the
DOT&PF is manufacturing all its signs.
MS. SIROKY related that the DOT&PF has the capability to produce
signs and by producing the signs in-house will save $15,000.
MS. SIROKY, in response to Representative Johansen, explained
the she has not been to the sign shop but understood the DOT&PF
buys the steel and has the ability to do lettering. In further
response to Representative Johansen, she stated that she was not
certain how long the DOT&PF has been making signs, but related
that it is not a new activity.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN recalled asking whether DOT&PF could
make signs last year. He recalled the fiscal note for signs for
the Joe C. Williams Coastal Trail in Ketchikan, which were
expensive. He expressed concern about the department's
inconsistency.
1:22:06 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked who actually makes the in-house signs.
MS. SIROKY answered that she was unsure. She also offered to
review the fiscal note and to research Representative Johansen's
concern.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked who decides whether the signs will
be made internally or by the private sector. He would like to
know who makes the decision on which signs will be contracted
out.
MS. SIROKY recalled that the DOT&PF's staff prepared the cost
estimates and she listed the one that was less costly.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN remarked that the $15,000 in savings can
add up.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether the 88 signs currently
being used would be recycled.
MS. SIROKY offered to find out.
1:25:01 PM
DALLAS MASSIE, American Legion Post 35, stated that his
grandfather obtained his citizenship by serving during World War
I. Additionally, his wife's grandfather also served in World
War I. Both fathers served in World War II in the Pacific
Theatre. He is a Vietnam era veteran and his oldest son is a
veteran of the First Gulf War. He testified in support of
HB 226 and urged members to support the bill.
ROBERT J. BRYANT, Valley Veterans Council, stated that he served
in both Gulf Wars. He supported HB 226 and related this would
be a wonderful way to honor all veterans.
NOEL WOODS stated that he has been a 65-year resident of the
Matanuska-Susitna Valley and is a Korean War veteran. He said,
"Go ahead with this. It sounds great."
JEAN WOODS stated that she wears a "gold star" and a "blue star"
because she has veterans in her family. She related that her
two sons have served their country. This good way to honor
veterans who keep us "the land of the free, because of the
brave," she said.
YUKON DON TANNER explained that he has been in Alaska since 1959
and served his country from 1969-1972, then came to the
Matanuska-Susitna Valley. His two sons are navy veterans that
also reside in the Matanuska-Susitna valley. He explained that
the idea to rename the road came from Mat-Su Borough
Transportation Committee. The committee's mission was to
prioritize how to dovetail future projects with existing
projects. The Bogard Extension became Colony Way one direction
and Seldon Road and Seldon Extension in the other direction.
During the planning period he suggested the road should be named
Veterans' Way. About a year and a half ago a group of veterans
approached Representative Keller to introduce the bill. He
urged members to pass HB 226.
1:29:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that only two navy veterans
involved with the legislature are both present in this room.
MR. TANNER said he appreciated the members' service.
JEROME CRANDALL, Wasilla, Alaska, stated that he supports
HB 226. He related that he is a veteran of the foreign wars and
served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He said is in favor of the
testimony today. He urged members to pass the bill to honor
veterans.
CHAIR P. WILSON, after first determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 226.
1:31:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report the proposed committee
substitute for HB 226, labeled 26-LS0830\S, Kane, 2/22/10, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection,
CSHB 226(TRA) was reported from the House Transportation
Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| hb 261 sponsor stmt.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 261 |
| HB 262 sponsor stmt.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 262 |
| HB226 sponsor Stmt.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 226 |
| HB226 Backup.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 226 |
| HB262 Backup.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 262 |
| HB261 backup.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 261 |
| CSHB261ver R.pdf |
HTRA 3/18/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 261 |