Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/22/2025 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR14 | |
| SJR12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HJR 14-PORT MACKENZIE & NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSIONS
1:02:27 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Supporting the
completion of the Port McKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern
Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive
capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed
commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community-minded approach
to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of
critical Arctic infrastructure.
1:03:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MCCABE, as prime sponsor, reviewed HJR 14.
He explained that the proposed resolution would endorse two key
infrastructure railroad expansion projects: the Northern Rail
Extension and the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension. He expressed
the opinion that the projects would strengthen Alaska's
infrastructure and enhance national defense capabilities. He
added that these projects would open the state to needed
resource development. He said that his office has received a
"huge" number of letters supporting the proposed resolution.
1:04:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed support and questioned the cost
of each component of HJR 14.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE answered that railroad engineers have
given an estimate of $290 million for the 32 miles of track from
Port MacKenzie to just south of Houston. He stated that the
Northern Rail Extension would be "significantly more," as a $200
million bridge has been built already. He expressed the
understanding that because of the several billion dollars needed
to complete the extension to Canada, the money would need to be
federal funds. In response to a follow-up question concerning
the exact beginning and ending of the Northern Rail Extension
project, he deferred to a representative from the Alaska
Railroad.
1:06:00 PM
MEGHAN CLEMANS, Director, External Affairs, Alaska Railroad
Corporation (ARRC), responded that the Northern Rail Extension
would go 89 miles from the Eielson branch of the Alaska Railroad
to Fort Greely and Delta Junction, but it would not reach the
Canadian border. She said that the proposed line to the border
crossing would follow the extension, so the extension would be
an important step to reaching the border. In response to a
follow-up question, she expressed uncertainty concerning the
distance from Delta Junction to the Canadian border. She
deferred to the chief engineer for ARRC.
1:07:29 PM
BRIAN LINDAMOOD, Chief Engineer, Alaska Railroad Corporation,
estimated that from Delta Junction to the Canadian border would
be around 160 miles, depending on the route.
1:08:12 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 14.
1:08:24 PM
MS. CLEMANS, on behalf of ARRC, expressed support for the
proposed resolution, adding that ARRC supports the expansion of
rail infrastructure in the state. She indicated that the
railroad has hired an outside engineering firm to update the
cost of completing the Port MacKinzie project, and it has
submitted federal grant applications for this project and the
Northern Rail Extension project. For the Northern Rail
Extension project, ARRC has submitted a spending request to
Alaska's Congressional Delegation. She stated that ARRC has
been working with the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough, the
Port MacKinzie staff, and Representative McCabe to identify
potential customers and an anchor tenant for the Port MacKinzie
project. In lieu of an anchor tenant, it has worked with
stakeholders to develop a spending strategy, and ARRC plans to
apply for a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety
Improvements (CRISI) grant. She noted that the Mat-Su Borough
would be submitting a Legislative Finance Capital Project
Submission and Information System (CAPSIS) request for the
needed 20 percent-nonmatching federal funds.
MS. CLEMANS noted ARRC's ongoing engagement with stakeholders to
advocate for both projects. She expressed the belief that these
projects would add new transportation efficiencies to the state,
unlocking opportunities, such as resource exports, energy
solutions, and project development. Noting the large size of
the projects, she maintained that the projects would require the
involvement and support of railroad partners. She stated that
the proposed resolution is important, as it would confirm
support for these projects.
1:11:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES questioned why Ms. Clemans did not mention
the [United States Armed Forces] during her testimony. She
expressed the understanding that completing the projects would
be a "huge boon" for the military.
MS. CLEMANS answered that ARRC has had outreach with the
military, especially concerning the Northern Rail Extension
project. She pointed out the [Tanana Bridge] on the extension
already provides year-round access to the Joint Base Elmendorf-
Richardson's (JBER's) training facility. She stated that the
military had helped to fund the bridge.
1:12:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE added that the military has been to Port
MacKenzie over 20 times in the past year to conduct meetings
with the Alaska Railroad, and it will be using the area around
the port for training.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES, in a follow-up comment, suggested to
"keep pushing" [the relationship with] the military forward.
1:13:37 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 14.
1:13:55 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that HJR 14 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 14 Fiscal Note HTRA.4.9.25.pdf |
HTRA 4/22/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 14 |