Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
05/05/2022 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR35 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HJR 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 5, 2022
1:50 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Grier Hopkins, Chair
Representative Sara Hannan, Vice Chair
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Mike Cronk
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Louise Stutes
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35
Supporting the completion of the Northern Rail Extension;
supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort
Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the development of critical
Arctic infrastructure.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 35
SHORT TITLE: NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CRONK
02/22/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/22 (H) MLV, TRA
03/01/22 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/01/22 (H) Heard & Held
03/01/22 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/03/22 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/03/22 (H) Moved HJR 35 Out of Committee
03/03/22 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/07/22 (H) MLV RPT 6DP
03/07/22 (H) DP: RAUSCHER, CLAMAN, NELSON, TARR,
STORY, TUCK
05/05/22 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
SUE STANCLIFF, Staff
Representative Mike Cronk
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on
HJR 35 on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor.
BRIAN LINDAMOOD, Vice President and Chief Engineer
Alaska Railroad
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a PowerPoint presentation, titled
"Northern Rail Extension Status," during the hearing on HJR 35.
BONNIE WOLDSTAD, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HJR 35.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:50:43 PM
CHAIR GRIER HOPKINS called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:50 p.m. Representatives
Hopkins, Hannan, McCabe, McKay, Drummond, and Cronk were present
at the call to order.
HJR 35-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
1:51:31 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35, "Supporting the completion of the
Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive
capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the
development of critical Arctic infrastructure."
1:51:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK introduced HJR 35 as prime sponsor . He
gave the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet],
which reads as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Completing the Northern Rail Extension to Fort Greely
and Delta Junction would support Military operations,
mining, and agriculture in the Interior of Alaska.
There is a long history with the railroad, dating back
to 1914 when Congress authorized the construction of a
railroad in Alaska. Finally, in 2013, almost one
hundred years later, the Northern rail expansion was
proposed by Alaska Railroad in conjunction with the
Department of Defense, the four phased plan was
completed. Phase one, Crossing the Tanana River, was
completed. The remaining three phases need to be
accomplished before we can realize completion of the
Northern rail expansion.
With the continued expansion of the Fort Greely
missile complex and expanded training ranges,
agriculture in Delta Junction, and increased mining
operations in the area the railroad is more important
than ever. This resolution supports the critical
infrastructure development, national security,
economic development, and natural resource development
in the State of Alaska.
The Northern Rail Extension project would provide
essential freight and passenger service to support
transportation and mobility needs of the region. This
is a project long overdue for Alaska and I ask for
your support for this resolution.
1:53:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked about the level of support from the
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
1:54:18 PM
SUE STANCLIFF, Staff, Representative Mike Cronk, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor of
HJR 35, stated that the DoD is an active participant and has
provided some funding for the project.
1:54:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked how much money was put into phase
one and how much money [DoD] is willing to put in.
MS. STANCLIFF answered that she is unsure.
1:56:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked how the bridge is holding up.
CHAIR HOPKINS asked which bridge Representative McCabe was
referring to.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE responded the longest bridge in Alaska and
said that the bridge doesn't see much use.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK stated that the bridge is still used often
by the military.
1:57:14 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked about the different phases of construction.
MS. STANCLIFF responded that phase 2 is approximately 13 miles
of rail from the Chena River overflow structure to the Tanana
River crossing; phase 3 is approximately 30 miles from the west
side of the crossing to Donnelly training area; and phase 4 is
approximately 38 miles from the Donnelly training area to Delta
Junction, Alaska. She added that part of the project would
include the construction of a depot in Delta Junction.
1:58:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted that she was part of the first
legislative tour to the Delta Junction agricultural area since
the 1980s. She said that the people comprising the area would
be greatly appreciative of the rail extension if it were built.
2:00:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked where the Fort Greely training areas
are in relation to the proposed rail extension.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK answered that he is unsure the exact extent
and location of the training areas.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE pointed out a spot on the map that shows
the boundaries of the training areas.
2:02:53 PM
BRIAN LINDAMOOD, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Alaska
Railroad, stated that he has worked on this project for 10
years. He began a PowerPoint presentation, [hard copy included
in the committee packet], titled "Northern Rail Extension
Status," on slide 2 and showed a map with military training
areas in relation to the proposed rail extension. He added that
Fort Greely is located in the area on the map in which the
Donnelly training area meets the Richardson Highway. He stated
that the rail extension begins directly east of North Pole,
Alaska, and follows the Tanana River down to Fort Greely before
ending in Delta Junction.
MR. LINDAMOOD moved to slide 3 and gave a brief overview of the
railway's timeline. He stated that the military raised concerns
in the early 2000s about its only access to training areas being
on icy roads. Federal agencies completed the environmental
impact statement (EIS) in 2009, and construction of the first
phase began in 2010, which was completed in 2014. He added that
the DoD contributed approximately $100 million towards the
project before having its attention turned towards conflicts
occurring in the Middle East.
2:09:37 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked how much money was contributed by the State
of Alaska.
MR. LINDAMOOD answered $84 million.
2:10:23 PM
MR. LINDAMOOD continued to slides 4 and 5 and stated that the
bridge crossing the Tanana River was started in 2011 and
finished in 2014. The bridge is 3,300 feet long and cost $188.2
million to build. He said that there were 2 miles of levees
built to control flooding to keep the bridge's position over the
river stable. He showed a map displaying the routes that were
recommended by the environmental analysis.
2:12:53 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked for an explanation of the Section of
Environmental Analysis (SEA).
MR. LINDAMOOD answered that SEA is part of the Surface
Transportation Board (STB) which is a federal agency. He added
that the agency has sole jurisdiction over railroads.
2:13:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked how many routes were approved by the
STB.
MR. LINDAMOOD answered that one route was approved, with
possible alternative routes for certain sections based on the
findings of the Army Corp of Engineers. In response to a
follow-up question, he said that only 2 of 50 people within the
DoD that provided input on the project are still working in
their current positions, adding to the complexity of the
project.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked which route is preferred by the
Alaska Railroad.
MR. LINDAMOOD answered the route highlighted in yellow.
2:17:26 PM
MR. LINDAMOOD continued to slides 6 and 7 and showed a map
displaying highlighted sections of the project differentiating
between each phase. He stated that phase 2 is the bridge, which
is complete other than the rail that would need to be added. He
said that the longer the project is put on hold, the greater the
risk that environmental agencies will require reevaluation. The
project would take at least 5 years to complete, and unresolved
issues include a terminal facility in Delta Junction and section
lines. He said that the cost estimate of $1 billion from 2012
is now outdated.
2:23:16 PM
MR. LINDAMOOD added more context to the issue of section lines,
stating that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) could
give more land to the Alaska Railroad. He said that public
access to different section lines would need to be worked out,
as there are some areas in which it would not make sense for the
public to have access. He added that the plans for the Delta
Junction facility are still in the works.
2:28:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether different specifications
would need to be met for the railroad based on what it is meant
to transport.
MR. LINDAMOOD answered that road and railroad engineering are
different.
2:30:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether the estimated cost of $1
billion is firm.
MR. LINDAMOOD answered that due to increased costs, the estimate
would be $1.7 billion, although it is preliminary.
2:31:56 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked where the Canadian rail system ends.
MR. LINDAMOOD answered Fort Nelson. In response to a follow-up
question, he stated that it is between 1,600 and 1,700 miles
away from the Alaska border.
2:33:30 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS opened public testimony on HJR 35.
2:33:55 PM
BONNIE WOLDSTAD, representing self, stated she supports the rail
extension, although there are other issues she believes the
Alaska Railroad should address. She stated that public access
to crossings should be addressed in a way that complies with
state statutes and protects private property.
2:35:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked Ms. Woldstad to help narrow down the
citations she gave.
MS. WOLDSTAD answered that there are current conflicts the
Alaska Railroad has with the Alaska Railroad Act. She said that
it is possible that homesteads, including her own, could be
impacted by the current plan of the projects. The federal
government has already issued two patents on her homestead.
2:38:18 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS closed public testimony on HJR 35 after
ascertaining nobody else wished to testify.
2:38:36 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
2:38:43 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS [announced that HJR 35 was held over].
2:39:25 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:39
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 35 - Presentation AKRR - 05.03.2022.pdf |
HTRA 5/5/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 35 |