Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/28/2004 09:35 AM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
February 28, 2004
9:35 a.m.
TAPE(S) 04-7, 8
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator John Cowdery, Co-Chair
Senator Thomas Wagoner, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gene Therriault
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
^OVERVIEW OF THE KNIK ARM CROSSING
CO-CHAIR JOHN COWDERY convened the meeting of the Senate
Transportation Standing Committee at 9:35 a.m. Present at the
call to order was Senator Olson, Co-Chair Wagoner, and Co-Chair
Cowdery.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
MR. GEORGE P.WUERCH, Chairman of the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll
Authority began the overview with a PowerPoint presentation.
This presentation can be viewed at www.knikarmbridge.com. He
discussed the following three main issues in the presentation:
· What it is
· It is a lengthy process ... where we are today
· History and substance of the project.
MR. WUERCH emphasized the importance of the construction of
public infrastructure so that growth, economy, and quality of
life can continue in the private sector. There are six major
identified transportation projects in Alaska, and the Knik Arm
Crossing is on that list. KABATA (Knik Arm Bridge and Toll
Authority) is a public corporation created by the Legislature.
It is the first toll authority in Alaska, but there are over 100
in the continental U.S.
MR. WUERCH's presentation addressed the following issues: what,
where, when, history, environmental considerations, obstacles,
and toll. What: connects ports of Anchorage to the Mat-Su;
railroad-compatible design; below the bluff on the Anchorage
side, access from existing roads; operates as a toll bridge;
earthfill causeway on each side and piling from deep water for
the bridge. When: design and construct; a four-year process;
permitting takes a long time, so no estimate. "When" depends on
TEA-21 authorization money. Environmental Considerations:
belugas, fish, unknowns.... Obstacles: Money; hopefully $600
million from the federal government can be secured, with a match
of 9 percent. The 9 percent match could be made up of small
appropriations, or sale of state GO bonds or toll authority
revenue bonds. This gets it built. After that, tolls pay the
operation and maintenance costs. Toll: toll would pay the
operations and maintenance, estimated to be at $1.5 million per
year. Vehicle counts would most likely be low the first few
years. Trucks moving cargo would be charged more, and would use
the bridge. Estimated toll for passenger vehicles may be $5 per
vehicle.
Other points of interest mentioned included planning into the
future, a bike trail along the bridge, and a railroad corridor.
A railroad corridor would not necessarily be a part of the toll
bridge, but the Authority could manage it.
There was a public comment period after the presentation. Both
Channel 11 and Channel 2 ran news stories on the hearing at the
end of the day.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded. A copy of the tape(s) may be
obtained by contacting the Senate Records Office at State
Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907)
465-2870, and after adjournment of the second session of the
Twenty-Third Alaska State Legislature this information may be
obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at
(907) 465-3808.
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