Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/16/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB421 | |
| HB369 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 369 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 421 | ||
HOUSE BILL NO. 421
"An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital
appropriations, and other appropriations; amending
appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Section 9(a) Capital - Highways and Aviation
Whittier Tunnel portal jet fan replacement due to
catastrophic failure of the #2 portal jet fan. Jet
fans are necessary to operate the Whittier Tunnel as
they force the carbon monoxide gases out of the tunnel.
There are two fans at each end of the tunnel - one is
for normal use and the other is required backup during
repair or failure of the other. Without this second
fan, the tunnel must be closed to accommodate any
maintenance of the remaining fan. $504.2 GF
NANCY SLAGLE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES,
explained that request 9(a), for the replacement of a backup
jet fan in the Whittier Tunnel, is a safety issue. The fan
has been ordered and needs to be in place before the high-
traffic season.
Section 9(b) Capital - Airport Improvement Program
Appropriation
The Airport Improvement Program Appropriation will
increase by $15,100.0 from $470,150.1 to $485,250.1 because
of the increases in the allocations listed below:
Section 9(c) Capital - Airport Improvement Program
Allocation
Amended: Cordova: Airport Runway Safety Area Expansion
$3,000.0 FF
Section 9(d) Capital - Airport Improvement Program
Allocation
New: Unalakleet: Airport Paving $12,100.0 FF
Ms. Slagle reported that 9(c), the airport improvement
program in Cordova, is a Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) special project, which provided grant funds last
August. The runway safety area is deficient, and FAA is
constructing an arresting system rather than increasing the
size of the runway. The grant also provides for snow
removal equipment and warranty for repairs. The plan is to
install the system in April with completion sometime in
July.
Co-Chair Meyer asked if this item requires a state match.
Ms. Slagle replied that it does. She explained how the
match is achieved. Co-Chair Meyer asked if the money is
being taken from another project. Ms. Slagle said it is
not.
Ms. Slagle spoke to 9(d), which involves paving the
Unalakleet airport runway. This project was also funded by
a FAA two-year grant received in August. She pointed out
that degradation of the runway has caused jet engine damage
and Northern Air Cargo will not land there anymore.
Advertising has been sent out and the project has to be
completed within the two-year time frame.
Section 9(e) Capital - Surface Transportation Program
Allocation
The Surface Transportation Program appropriation will
increase by $15,000.0 from $373,604.7 to $388,604.7 because
of the increase to the allocation listed below:
Section 9(f) Capital - Surface Transportation Program
Allocation
Amended: National Highway System (NHS) and Non-NHS
Pavement and Bridge Refurbishment $15,000 FF
Ms. Slagle explained that 9(e) is the appropriation level
for 9(f). She related the types of repair work covered in
this preventative maintenance program. Examples of these
projects include Homer area paving, Palmer roads, Seward
Highway, Fairbanks ditches and storm drains, Tok cutoff,
Steese expressway, Chena road, Wrangell roads, Petersberg
roads, and Yakatut paving.
1:53:44 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked if there is a state match on that item
as well. Ms. Slagle said the state match is less than 10
percent.
Representative Hawker asked if the federal government had
earmarked those projects. Ms. Slagle said no. The
Department of Transportation determined that those projects
were cost beneficial and needed the most. Representative
Hawker requested information on the evaluation process to
choose the projects. Ms. Slagle explained the evaluation
process and offered to provide more information on the
criteria. Representative Hawker asked if the determination
involved public input. Ms. Slagle explained the project
review process.
1:56:08 PM
Ms. Slagle explained the amendment proposed on 2/06/06, DOT
A, $1,500.0 Federal Funds, regarding the Kotzebue sand
building. Early approval of this project will allow a
contract to be awarded in April 2006. Then there will be
time for the contractor to order, obtain, and barge the
materials before freeze up in 2006 to avoid losing a season
of construction time. Ms. Slagle related that because of
delays in the Nome airport project, flexibility in the
program allowed this project to be added. This grant
project is also a match.
HB 421 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
1:58:23 PM
Co-Chair Chenault presided over HB 369.
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