Legislature(2005 - 2006)Wasilla LIO Conf Rm
02/25/2006 01:30 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Highway Safety Issues | |
| Overview: Knik Arm Crossing | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 25, 2006
1:40 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Carl Gatto, Co-Chair
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Mark Neuman
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Charlie Huggins, Chair
Senator John Cowdery, Vice Chair
MEMBERS ABSENT
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Jim Elkins, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Thomas
Representative Mary Kapsner
Representative Woodie Salmon
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Gene Therriault
Senator Albert Kookesh
Senator Hollis French
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bill Stoltze
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW(S): HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUES; KNIK ARM BRIDGE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN MACKINNON, Deputy Commissioner
of Highways & Public Facilities
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the notion of the traffic safety
corridor.
GORDON KEITH, Regional Director
Central Region
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the specifics of the traffic
safety corridor and answered questions.
WESLEY WARNER
Valley Alaskan Bikers Advocating Training and Education
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed the need to consider the seasonal
aspect of traffic safety corridors.
MARGARET BILLINGER
Big Lake Community Council
Big Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Suggested the need for education in
relation to alcohol-related accidents as well as for an earlier
closing time for bars.
JOHN COMBS, Mayor
City of Palmer
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion, asked about engineering
problems and related his support of the bridge.
SCOTT THOMAS, P.E., Regional Traffic Engineer
Traffic & Safety Section
Central Region
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions.
ALLEN STOREY, Captain
Division of Alaska State Troopers
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Related the troopers' excitement with
regard to traffic safety corridors.
RK BUTTS
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns with regard to those who
drive under the influence and with revoked/suspended licenses.
RANDY HOLT
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Posed questions related to the Southeast
transportation corridor and the Knik Arm Crossing.
JOHN ODAY, Member
Anchorage Road Coalition
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Related the Anchorage Road Coalition's
support for HB 261 and specified two permanent traffic corridors
that should be created.
STEVE MILLER
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concern about the design of the
Seward Meridian Road and the Knik Arm Bridge.
APRIL MOORE
Trappers Creek, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified that the Knik Arm Crossing would
address the pressure on two of the traffic safety corridors
specified.
LOIS WIER
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments on the funds for the
proposed bridges and traffic safety corridors.
KEVIN ROBINSON, Board of Directors
Valley Alaskan Bikers Advocating Training and Education
Sutton, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed the concerns of the motorcycle
community.
ANN KILKENNY
Partners in Education
Teeland Middle School
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Urged the committees to move the completion
of the Seward Meridian Road forward and to upgrade the design of
it for safety and traffic.
DIANE KELLER, Mayor
City of Wasilla
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Encouraged the legislature to approve
funding for various road improvements in the Mat-Su Valley as
well as to consider funding the alternative transportation
corridor or the bypass.
RANDY HOLT
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a comment regarding rights-of-way
for the bypass.
DONNIE DARILEK
Meadow Lakes Community Council
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed the need to lower the speed limit
in the Meadow Lakes area [of the Parks Highway] to 45 miles per
hour.
SHERRY MATSEN (PH)
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Related her support of the idea of traffic
safety corridors and enforcement.
GREG BEAL
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns with regard to the lack
of [winter] road maintenance.
HENRY SPRINGER, Executive Director
Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an update of the Knik Arm Bridge
project.
EARL LACKEY
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Asked questions regarding the Knik Arm
Bridge.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR CHARLIE HUGGINS called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:40:50 PM. Representatives
Gatto, Kohring, and Neuman and Senators Huggins and Cowdery were
present at the call to order. Representative Stoltze was also
in attendance.
^OVERVIEW: HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUES
CHAIR HUGGINS announced that the first order of business would
be a discussion about highway safety, which was precipitated by
a conversation on the same topic a week or so ago. The
conversation was in relation to the Seward Highway south of
Anchorage. The conversation revealed that there are multiple
dangerous roads in the state. Therefore, this meeting is to
hear from people regarding what can and needs to be done to
address these roads. He mentioned the review of a system of
traffic safety corridors. Chair Huggins then had Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and Department of
Law representatives introduce themselves as well as city
officials from Wasilla and Palmer.
CHAIR HUGGINS then informed the committees that currently a
facility is being built on the Parks Highway to address the
demographic shift in the area and help with traffic safety. Of
the 31 personnel from the Alaska State Troopers that the
facility will house, about 26 individuals will be badge wearing,
gun carrying personnel.
1:46:31 PM
JOHN MACKINNON, Deputy Commissioner of Highways & Public
Facilities, Office of the Commissioner, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities, began by reminding the
committee that [DOT&PF] is under the third reauthorization of
the transportation bill that's all about safety. He then
recalled that in early January there was a fatal accident on the
Seward Highway, which raised awareness in that more effort needs
to be placed toward safety on the highways. The current
approach to high accident rates on roads is to review what can
be done to improve the road such as straighten it or widen it,
which is a long process. Furthermore, often by the time such
projects are complete the road has once again reached capacity.
In reviewing what other states have been doing, the concept of
traffic safety corridors was reviewed. In fact, in the
governor's State of the State address, the governor charged the
department with drafting legislation that created these traffic
safety corridors along with an educational campaign and
increased enforcement. Studies have shown that when enforcement
on a roadway is increased, it calms the traffic and reduces the
number of accidents, particularly the very serious accidents.
Upon reviewing other states using traffic safety corridors, it
was found that Oregon has had a long history of using corridors
and has achieved success in this area. In fact, Oregon has
decommissioned a couple of its traffic safety corridors. Mr.
Mackinnon informed the committee that DOT&PF has established
criteria and introduced legislation in both bodies. He
explained that DOT&PF would work closely with the Department of
Public Safety (DPS) in determining the location of the traffic
safety corridors. Furthermore, DPS and local police departments
would be consulted in regard to enforcement. The DPS would also
help with the funding for the additional enforcement. He noted
that DOT&PF has some safety sanction funds for that. The DOT&PF
has identified four roads that meet the criteria for traffic
safety corridors, including the Knik-Goose Bay Road, Palmer-
Wasilla Highway, and the Parks Highway. He explained that the
notion is to target the worst roads first with increased
enforcement and education.
1:52:33 PM
GORDON KEITH, Regional Director, Central Region, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities, began by informing the
committee that the central region includes the Mat-Su Valley,
the Kenai Peninsula, the Aleutian Chain, Bristol Bay, and
Anchorage. He explained that the Central Region has taken the
lead on this matter because it has probably 60 percent of the
population and probably over 60 percent of the cars and
vehicular-related accidents. After reviewing the Seward
Highway, it was discovered through anecdotal information that
other corridors had as high or higher incidents of accidents as
that of the Seward Highway. Therefore, the review was expanded
and the analysis thus far indicates the need for about 10-12
[traffic safety corridors] in the central region. He related
how much work it takes to discern these traffic safety
corridors. He then related that at this point there is
recommended criteria to select the traffic safety corridors and
those recommendations are being tested. He then showed the
committee charts based on the draft criteria.
MR. KEITH, in response to Chair Huggins, related that traffic
safety corridors will appear to the traveling public much like
the construction work zones. Therefore, there will be a sign
that informs the driver that he/she is entering a traffic safety
corridor for which there are double fines for infractions in the
corridor. These signs specifying the traffic safety corridor
would be in place for perhaps years at a time and the limits
specified on the signs would be in place every day all day. He
highlighted the importance for drivers to know when he/she is
entering a traffic safety corridor and the consequences of
violations in it.
REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE expressed the need for the department to
relate to city officials and community members how they can be a
part of this process.
1:57:54 PM
MR. KEITH explained that traffic safety corridors can be
nominated by city officials, the public, and the legislature.
CHAIR HUGGINS agreed that community members must realize this is
a community effort. However, if there was a big cluster of
continuing accidents in one place, then he surmised that all
modifications of traffic control should be reviewed because the
current proposal only modifies driver behavior.
2:00:17 PM
MR. KEITH highlighted the importance of engineering, education,
and enforcement for traffic safety because the engineering is
[less effective] without increased enforcement. With regard to
education, Mr. Keith informed the committee that some highway
safety funds have been received and an advertising campaign has
been started with regard to the long [proposed traffic safety]
corridor from Seward to Fairbanks. He noted that the target
group is young people because they seem to have more accidents.
2:02:41 PM
MR. KEITH then provided the committee with charts that provide
information with regard to the location of accidents that have
occurred on the Knik-Goose Bay Road, the Palmer-Wasilla Highway,
and the Parks Highway. The information related a positive
correlation between accidents [with pedestrians]. The charts,
he pointed out, also relate which accidents involved alcohol
and/or drugs, which he indicated was many accidents. The
traffic safety corridors will try to intercept those drivers.
He then reviewed the accident summary data provided on the
charts, which includes data regarding the number of fatalities
or major injuries per mile per the number of vehicles traveling
on a particular road. Of those roads charted thus far, the
Knik-Goose Bay Road has the highest rate of major
injuries/fatalities per mile. Mr. Keith noted that until this
data was available, the state troopers probably didn't know the
patterns or the areas in which enforcement should be
concentrated. Therefore, this data is a real tool for the
troopers.
2:08:16 PM
WESLEY WARNER, Valley Alaskan Bikers Advocating Training and
Education, a motorcycle safety organization, asked whether any
seasonal road conditions are considered in the data.
MR. KEITH replied no, adding this isn't a seasonal thing. He
mentioned that there has been discussion regarding whether some
of the traffic safety corridors can be a seasonal application,
which hasn't been done in other states. He indicated the need
to analyze the data to determine whether there is a seasonal
aspect to the accidents.
MR. WARNER expressed the need to obtain data on that in order to
address the seasonal aspect, especially in regard to education.
2:10:05 PM
MR. KEITH said the education campaign will start as early as
next week. He mentioned the need for a different educational
focus at different times of the year.
2:10:49 PM
MR. WARNER expressed the need for the state to also identify the
conditions of the roads, which includes the conditions due to
the disrepair of the roads. He opined that without [taking into
consideration weather and road conditions], the data provided
doesn't present the entire picture.
MARGARET BILLINGER, Big Lake Community Council, related that she
has been a victim of two head-on collisions with drunk drivers.
She highlighted that the state controls the Alcoholic Beverage
Control Board (ABC Board), and questioned why bars can't be made
to close at 2 a.m. in order to decrease the number of alcohol-
related fatalities at night. She emphasized that the safety
discussion has been going on for 10 years, but the same highways
and narrow roads exist. Therefore, closing the bars earlier
could prove helpful. She emphasized the need for education
efforts related to driving while impaired by alcohol.
JOHN COMBS, Mayor, City of Palmer, turned attention to the
number of accidents on the Parks Highway - Lucas Road corridor
versus the Knik-Goose Bay Road. He inquired as to whether the
[cluster of accidents on the Knik-Goose Bay Road] is due to an
engineering problem.
MR. KEITH said that he couldn't identify [the specific problem]
and thus he offered to look into the specifics [of those
accidents]. He did point out that the closer to town one is the
more vehicles there are.
SCOTT THOMAS, P.E., Regional Traffic Engineer, Traffic & Safety
Section, Central Region, Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities, related that about half of these roads were
constructed in the '80s. He noted that the road alignment
hasn't changed much and shoulders have been added. He indicated
that approximately three of [the roads] are older and three
others are newer. He explained that one process of traffic
safety corridors is the field review for engineering and audit,
which is the next step.
CHAIR HUGGINS expressed his hope that today is the beginning of
the integration of building roads, the location of troopers, and
safety aspects.
2:16:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN highlighted that DOT&PF has a website with
this information and a link requesting opinions from the public.
He then related two situations in which public complaints lead
to an immediate response from DOT&PF such that they were fixed.
2:17:22 PM
ALLEN STOREY, Captain, Division of Alaska State Troopers,
Department of Public Safety (DPS), related the division's
excitement with regard to traffic safety corridors. He opined
that the division will review the corridors from a public safety
standpoint and determine if the troopers can provide
enforcement. He further related that the division is
aggressively recruiting troopers and the hope is to have more
troopers on the road and the new trooper office mentioned
earlier.
2:19:58 PM
RK BUTTS recalled the earlier mention of the drunk driving
problem and opined that the legislature has done nothing about
it. He further opined that the legislature has done nothing
about the number of people driving with revoked/suspended
licenses. Most of the individuals stopped with a
revoked/suspended license merely receive a citation and they
don't typically make their appearance in court, he indicated.
The law needs to be changed such that individuals caught driving
drunk or with a revoked/suspended license lose their vehicle.
He related that individuals stopped who can't provide proof of
insurance face their car being impounded until they can provide
proof of insurance. All of the aforementioned will, he opined,
reach most of the individuals causing the accidents.
MR. BUTTS turned to the area between Wasilla and Big Lake that
has many traffic problems. He suggested lowering the speed
limit and enforcing it. He then turned attention to moose-
vehicle collisions, most of which occur during darkness. He
questioned why the speed limit in the areas with moose-vehicle
collisions haven't been lowered. Mr. Butts emphasized the need
to put teeth into the existing laws and stated that doubling
traffic fines or bail amounts won't accomplish anything because
half of the individuals charged with such don't pay them.
CHAIR HUGGINS, recalling information from safety engineers,
pointed out that the adjustment of speed is not always the
answer. He then informed everyone that the Moose Federation,
the organization that tracks the location of moose, is becoming
involved with the moose-vehicle collisions. He opined that
effort is being expended to address the concerns related by Mr.
Butts.
2:23:57 PM
CAPTAIN STOREY highlighted the team of four troopers in Palmer
who basically focus on driving under the influence (DUI)
enforcement. However, because troopers have a statewide
responsibility, the team occasionally performs enforcement
efforts in other parts of the state. The aforementioned program
has been so successful, the division is attempting to obtain
highway safety funds to create such a team in Fairbanks as well
as a DUI enforcement team on the Kenai Peninsula. Captain
Storey related that in the last statistical year the DUI
enforcement team [in Palmer] had arrests on par with the number
of arrests made by all the other troopers. However, he pointed
out that the other troopers have to do the regular trooper
duties as well as the DUI arrests. He said that the troopers
try to bring as many revoked/suspended license violators before
the court, but they are managed in ways in which the troopers
don't have control.
MS. BILLINGER related that she has seen drivers without driver's
licenses driving on the bike paths and has seen troopers who
have seen such. She asked if the situation can be investigated.
CAPTAIN STOREY said that DUI anywhere is a criminal offense. He
related that if there are witnesses who can identify the vehicle
and the driver, the troopers try to investigate such situations.
2:27:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE thanked the troopers for the statistics
that the Division of Alaska State Troopers provided because it's
comprehensive information over the [last] five years.
Representative Stoltze said that he thought the Seward Highway
was the most dangerous highway in the state, but after reviewing
the data it seems that there were 72 deaths and over 1,200
injuries in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The aforementioned
information indicates that there is a greater need in the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
CAPTAIN STOREY clarified that there was some confusion with
regard to the most dangerous stretch of highway because the
statistical data regarding the stretch of highway from Wasilla
to Big Lake includes the portion of highway from Wasilla to the
Big Lake Cutoff, a portion of the Knik-Goose Bay Road, and a
portion of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Therefore, those three
stretches of highway make up the most dangerous portion of the
highway within the state. However, he highlighted that it's a
near tie between Knik-Goose Bay Road and Wasilla and Big Lake.
He then returned to Mr. Butt's comments and highlighted that a
few years ago the legislature passed a provision such that
felony DUI vehicles were to be seized and forfeited. Since the
inception of that program, approximately 240 vehicles have been
seized. Furthermore, about 100 vehicles are pending forfeiture.
2:32:44 PM
RANDY HOLT asked if the proposed Southern transportation
corridor will ease traffic in Palmer and Wasilla and thus help
eliminate some of the accidents in the area. He then inquired
as to the members' opinions of the Knik Arm Crossing.
SENATOR COWDERY noted that he has been and remains to be
enthusiastic with regard to the Knik Arm Crossing. He related
his belief that the funding for the Knik Arm Crossing won't be
lost.
2:35:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE mentioned that he serves on the Knik Arm
Authority. He said that although he is in favor of the project,
he opined that it should be scrutinized as any other project.
Representative Stoltze related his belief that there are
innovative methods being employed, such as the public-private
participation and using bonding unlike any other project. The
Knik Arm Crossing, he opined, is an important part of any gas
line project or realignment of the Alaska Railroad. He
expressed concern with regard to an overpass of downtown Wasilla
and what it would do to Wasilla. Furthermore, he suggested that
such a bridge could provide economic benefit and more
opportunities for business and industry in the Mat-Su Valley.
2:38:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN recalled recently listening to U.S.
Congressman Don Young when he inquired as to the commitment
[Alaskans] have for the future in the state. He questioned what
there will be for Alaskans 30-50 years from now as far as the
expansion is concerned. He recalled hearing Representative
Stoltze mention the investment and commercial opportunities in
the Point MacKenzie area which would help relieve some of the
taxpayers' burden. He, too, highlighted the economic benefit of
the railroad passing through the area. Furthermore, a new
North-South corridor between Anchorage and Willow would move
thru traffic off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and possibly reduce
the number of vehicles on it.
CHAIR HUGGINS recalled the inception of the phrase "Bridge to
Nowhere," which came about nationally when Alaska had funds to
build bridges. Many said that funding could have been used to
help the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. That same
argument is now utilized throughout the state as the reason
various projects aren't being done in the state. That argument
is convenient and he urged everyone to think about that. Chair
Huggins then pointed out that the infrastructure that works for
the interim for Knik Arm Crossing also works for the port
because even if the Knik Arm Bridge isn't built, the
infrastructure for the port will still need to be built if the
port is to emerge as a major sector in the community. He
highlighted that if the Knik Arm Crossing is built,
infrastructure money will come with the [federal] funds
otherwise there aren't many stakeholders outside of the Mat-Su
Valley area that see the importance of the port. Chair Huggins
specified his support of the Knik Arm Crossing, and opined that
the Mat-Su Valley area is "the single strategic transportation
thing that can happen ... because it connects the two largest
communities, 60 percent of the population." Furthermore, the
only options that impact/ease the overcrowded Parks Highway are
the Knik Arm Crossing and the bypass. He concluded by saying
that there isn't one single solution.
2:45:30 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO turned attention to the proposed gas line, and
pointed out that the pipe for the gas line has a larger diameter
and is thicker than that for the oil pipeline. Furthermore, the
pipe for the gas line is really heavy and probably only one
piece can be carried at a time on a truck. It would be
horrifying, he said, to see so many trucks on the Glenn and
Parks Highways if there isn't another alternative. Co-Chair
Gatto then pointed out that when Alaska receives money from the
federal government, the federal government is very specific in
regard to how it is to be spent. He recalled that 48 percent
was for the National Highway System, which included the bridges.
He said that the Palmer-Wasilla Highway can't be built with
those federal funds because the federal government won't
reimburse those funds. While the earmarks disappeared, the
funds are still there and went to DOT&PF at which point the
governor announced that he wanted to reserve $90 million for the
bridge projects. However, the bridge will probably cost around
$600 million, and thus requires commitment from the federal
government in order to obtain enough funding for such a project.
The point, Co-Chair Gatto said, is that it's complicated to
obtain the funds to build the bridge and to build it.
Meanwhile, there are other safety projects. He noted that Trunk
Road, which is too short of a section and wasn't included in the
evaluation, wasn't even discussed. Moreover, the troopers are
shorthanded. In the Mat-Su Valley, there are 1,225 open cases,
which resulted in the troopers being given funds to hire more
troopers, but there aren't enough people applying.
2:52:17 PM
JOHN ODAY, Member, Anchorage Road Coalition, related the
Anchorage Road Coalition's support for HB 261. He then
expressed the need to create the following two permanent traffic
corridors: from Portage to Potter and from the junction of the
Parks and Glenn Highways to Houston. He recalled a safety and
design engineer from Florida with over 35 years of experience
who said there is a 100 percent fatality rate in that if one
survives a vehicle accident with a major injury, the chance of
survival within a year are zero. Mr. Oday reminded the
committees that the Anchorage Road Coalition formed in order to
influence the design of streets in the city, particularly the
highways. "Wider, flatter, straighter is not the answer," he
said. He then turned to the problem of speeders and informed
the committees that in Scottsdale, Arizona, electronic cameras
are being used to catch speeders. In order to prosecute that
driver and vehicle using such a system, Alaska would need to
change its statute. The Anchorage Road Coalition is in the
process of recommending to the Anchorage Assembly to again
engage in electronic surveillance.
2:57:51 PM
MR. ODAY opined that if [electronic surveillance] can be done in
the Lower 48, it can be done in Alaska. With regard to the Knik
Arm Bridge and the railroad, Mr. Oday said that he has spoken
with engineers who have explained that the [railroad] would
require a separate bridge and it would cost two to four times
the money of the Knik Arm Bridge. Furthermore, the truckers
don't like the proposal because it would not save them any time.
Mr. Oday then turned to the Parks Highway and said that the
chief problem is the traffic pull, which is a problem in
Anchorage as well. With regard to comments about transporting
the pipe, Mr. Oday recalled when the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
System was built and one-third of the pipeline was sent to
Valdez. The highway from Valdez to Glennallen was destroyed
within weeks of transporting the pipeline.
SENATOR COWDERY mentioned that he was in China where he observed
the massive amounts of traffic and where this electronic
surveillance is being used.
MAYOR COMBS recalled several years ago when the legislature
approved [legislation] to require that headlights be on at all
times, although it was repealed. Drawing upon his experience in
the insurance industry, Mayor Combs highlighted the studies that
show having headlights on at all times prevents accidents
because vehicles can see each other. Upon repealing the
legislation, the signs regarding driving with lights on all the
time were taken down rather than left in place to encourage such
action. He related his understanding that there will be no
change in speed limits [in the traffic safety corridors] just
more enforcement. He suggested that there be larger rights-of-
way, specifically at least 200 feet and 100 feet of natural
corridor on each side. He informed the committees that he
supports the byway concept in the Mat-Su Valley. With regard to
the bridges, he said he looks forward to that being constructed
some day. He noted that every large community located on the
coast with a nearby peninsula or island has a bridge.
3:05:21 PM
STEVE MILLER expressed concern about the design of the Seward
Meridian Road, which would causes some to have to drive an
unsafe route. He said that although DOT&PF has been responsive
to his concerns, thus far the department hasn't liked the
suggestions.
APRIL MOORE opined that enforcement isn't all that's necessary,
adding that the Knik Arm Crossing would address the pressure on
two of the traffic safety corridors specified. She further
opined that it's just common sense that if the pressure on the
highways going through Wasilla is relieved, then fatalities on
the highways would be relieved also. She then expressed her
belief that the economy is ripe for the Knik Arm Crossing and
the bypass because as Anchorage expands, the Mat-Su Valley's
economic base needs to expand on toward Willow.
3:11:03 PM
LOIS WIER opined that it was a terrible mistake for Congress to
take away the earmark for the two bridges. She commented that
although the members have said they are committed to the [Knik
Arm Crossing], the legislature is the only entity that can take
away funds originally designated for the crossings and use it
for other projects. Ms. Wier characterized the funds from
Congress for the crossings as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
With regard to the traffic safety corridors and the signage
informing drivers they are entering such, she suggested that
there also needs to be signage identifying when the corridor
ends.
CHAIR HUGGINS clarified that there will be signage regarding the
end point of the traffic safety corridors.
KEVIN ROBINSON, Board of Directors, Valley Alaskan Bikers
Advocating Training and Education, expressed concern that the
traffic safety corridors don't outline the surface conditions of
the roads. He informed the committees that Alaska has more
motorcycles than any other state. Three problems that need to
be addressed are as follows: the lack of a comprehensive
motorcycle awareness program by DOT&PF; the removal of sand and
gravel from the roads; and tar snakes. Mr. Robinson opined that
rather than going to a complete police state, addressing the
surfaces of the roads could go far toward safety.
ANN KILKENNY, Partners in Education, Teeland Middle School,
opined that part of the problem with traffic in [the Palmer-
Wasilla area] is that the roads are under designed and over
driven. Traffic needs to be drawn away from the center of the
Wasilla Highway, Parks Highway main street intersection, which
would be accomplished with the completion of the Seward Meridian
Road. She recalled that back in 2002, voters approved the
GARVEE [Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles] bond that included
the completion of the Seward Meridian Road as one of the
projects. Furthermore, the completion of the Seward Meridian
Road was supposed to have been fast tracked. However, nothing
has been done with the Seward Meridian Road in the past 3.5
years. The aforementioned has resulted in money from schools
being used to build an extension of Seward Meridian Road. She
added that the Seward Meridian Road is under designed and
lacking significant safety features, especially considering the
number of schools and buses that travel along that street.
Therefore, Ms. Kilkenny urged the committees to move the
completion of the Seward Meridian Road forward to draw traffic
out of the main corridor. She also urged the committees to
upgrade the design of the Seward Meridian Road for safety and
traffic.
3:21:10 PM
MR. MACKINNON, in response to Senator Cowdery, explained that
GARVEE bonds are sold and repaid with the state's federal
highway funds. He specified that GARVEE bonds aren't general
obligation bonds but rather the state is borrowing against
future federal funds coming to the state.
3:22:10 PM
DIANE KELLER, Mayor, City of Wasilla, commented that community
participation is critical to solving these community problems.
She mentioned that she would pass information on to the
community council regarding SB 261 and would request a
resolution in support of it. She then confirmed that the Moose
Federation is trying to make a moose-free corridor with fencing
and designated crossing areas between Anchorage and the Mat-Su
Valley. Mayor Keller encouraged the legislature to approve
funding for improvements to Lucille Street and for the
construction of South Mac Drive as well as Seldon to Houston
improvements. Such improvements will help to reduce traffic on
already congested main thoroughfares. She then asked the
committees to consider funding the alternative transportation
corridor or the bypass. Furthermore, additional signals should
be considered to allow for traffic breaks or roundabouts on the
roads that already have problems. Mayor Keller opined that the
aforementioned improvements along with the planned educational
campaigns will go far toward making the roads in the Mat-Su
Valley safer. Mayor Keller then expressed the need to work with
the court system judges in order to identify the existing flaws
in the law and allow for enforcement to occur as it was
legislated. The aforementioned, she suggested, will allow the
offenders to serve the time earned and allow law enforcement to
feel as if it's making a difference.
3:25:31 PM
CHAIR HUGGINS clarified that the bypass of Wasilla will go south
and spoke of other alternatives that could be utilized to access
the Parks Highway.
MR. KEITH highlighted that the last legislature and the Alaska
Railroad contributed $2 million each to begin the environmental
impact statement (EIS) for the Wasilla bypass. A memorandum of
understanding has been established between the Alaska Railroad,
DOT&PF, the Mat-Su Borough, and the City of Wasilla. In fact, a
request for proposals (RFP) has been drafted to review a
corridor for a bypass. However, he cautioned that the EIS
reviews all bypasses and thus the railroad and the highway could
bypass the City of Wasilla. He then advised the committees that
there is also a no-build alternative.
3:28:10 PM
CHAIR HUGGINS reminded everyone that the construction of roads
are 10-20 year propositions.
RANDY HOLT related his understanding that property for the
rights-of-way of the bypass is already being purchased.
3:30:05 PM
DONNIE DARILEK, Meadow Lakes Community Council, related that the
council supports lowering the speed limit to 45 miles per hour
[in the area of mile 49] of the Parks Highway, as there are two
schools within a portion of the road that has a 55-mile per hour
speed limit. Furthermore, there should be stoplights or three-
way stop signs at Vine, Rainbow, and Big Lake turn off. The
aforementioned could be accomplished tomorrow and would
eliminate much of the dangerous drivers. Ms. Darilek informed
the committee that there is already a high trooper presence on
the road and it's not decreasing [accidents]. She then pointed
out that at the Pittman Road area there are railroad crossings
and the fire and ambulance services are located on the wrong
side of the track, especially when gravel is being loaded on the
tracks. The same situation will result with the new trooper
station to be built at that site. Ms. Darilek informed the
committee that [the Meadow Lakes Community Council] supports
building the bypass rather than what DOT&PF plans to do between
Lucas and Big Lake Road. She specified that the community
desires road construction similar to that done at Sterling.
3:33:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING said he supports lowering the speed limit
at least as a temporary measure until the completion of the
upgrade of the road through the Meadow Lakes area.
3:33:54 PM
SHERRY MATSEN (PH) began by relating her support of the idea of
traffic safety corridors. She opined that enforcement is very
important. She related her belief that several areas of the
Knik-Goose Bay Road and miles 44-52 of the Parks Highway need
reduced speed limits in order to reduce accidents. She related
her experiences on the Knik-Goose Bay Road, such as people
passing when there is oncoming traffic and passing on the right
when the vehicle up ahead is making a left turn. There should
be a law against passing on the right when someone is turning,
she opined. Adding turning lanes would help address some of the
aforementioned problems. She then suggested that more lighting
would help at Edlund Road, the Palmer-Wasilla extension, Vine
Road, and the Fairview Loop. Moreover, reducing the number of
access roads to the main thoroughfares and adding more frontage
roads would also help reduce accidents. In conclusion, she
opined that the speed limit at the main intersections should be
reduced to 45 miles per hour. She added that she would like
lights to be added to Vine Road, Fairview Loop, and Edlund Road.
3:37:50 PM
GREG BEAL said that Palmer DOT&PF does a fairly decent job of
maintaining roads, although there aren't enough [trucks and
staff] to go around. However, Anchorage DOT&PF doesn't maintain
its roads as it sends out only three trucks [between] Anchorage
and Eklutna. Therefore, he suggested that if more trucks and
staff are necessary, then the funds should be put forth to do
so. He further suggested changing the schedule of sanding and
plowing. Mr. Beal related that the Anchorage Police Department
reports that there were 104 accidents, which amounts to $104,000
if each accident costs $1,000. He expressed the need for there
to be a plan when there is an accident so that traffic can be
moved through the other lane rather than completely shutting
down the road.
CHAIR HUGGINS said that the concerns of Mr. Beal are being
worked on.
3:40:25 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:40 p.m. to 3:51 p.m.
^OVERVIEW: KNIK ARM CROSSING
CHAIR HUGGINS then turned the committee's attention to the
overview of the Knik Arm Crossing.
3:51:55 PM
HENRY SPRINGER, Executive Director, Knik Arm Bridge and Toll
Authority, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities,
began by characterizing the Knik Arm Bridge project as a unique
project in the state because it's a toll authority. He
explained that a normal road project with federal aid is paid
for by the federal gasoline tax. However, a toll authority is
required to pay for all the maintenance and a portion of the
capital money that is raised from the toll user fees. He
informed everyone that the estimated cost of the Knik Arm Bridge
is $400-$600 million. If $200 million [in public participation]
is received, the bridge can be built. The aforementioned funds
will come from a variety of funding sources, such as revenue
bonds, loans, and the private sector through concessions. With
such an approach it's feasible to raise the $300-$400 million
for the project. Mr. Springer assured the committees that Wall
Street won't put money into the Knik Arm Bridge project until
it's satisfied that the projections and models are fairly
conservative. He highlighted that out of about 60 toll
facilities, there has been only one failure.
MR. SPRINGER pointed out that the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll
Authority is required to make projections out to the year 2030.
By the year 2050, projections show that there will be more
people in the Mat-Su Valley than in Anchorage, bridge or no
bridge. He said that [without the bridge] by the year 2020
there will be a total collapse of the Glenn Highway and $250-
$300 million will be needed to upgrade it. Furthermore, federal
funds for the bridge can't be used to fill potholes, as has been
argued, because maintenance funding is an obligation of the
state. However, he acknowledged that the federal government
does allow accelerated reconstruction when the state doesn't put
forth enough state dollars for maintenance.
3:57:32 PM
MR. SPRINGER acknowledged that household surveys have found that
many Palmer residents don't support the bridge project.
However, when those residents find out it will take them three
hours to get to Anchorage they seem to see the benefit of the
bridge project. He then informed the committees that the draft
EIS is moving along and should be issued in April. To date, $18
million has been spent on the EIS and the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) process. He noted that the public
will have six weeks to provide comments on the proposal. He
also noted that there are some unresolved issues with the core
and hydraulics. However, most of the technical matters have
been addressed and the project is in the conceptual design
stage. Although there are still some public relations problems
with Government Hill, there are no insurmountable technical
problems. Mr. Springer related that he is proud of his staff
and his consultants because a lot of ground was covered.
4:01:16 PM
MR. SPRINGER then reminded the committees that AS 19.75 created
the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority and gave it functions
such as collecting tolls and issuing bonds. However, the
legislature has to approve it all. In fact, HB 471 and SB 303,
which are up for hearings, are enabling legislation to proceed
with issuing bonds, incurring debt, and entering into a public-
private partnership. The aforementioned is a fairly new concept
in which the private sector and the owner or the government form
a partnership such that the private sector not only does the
construction and the design but can also participate in the
financing and in the operation and maintenance of the project.
In return, the government gives the private sector the right to
collect some of the revenue from the tolls. The aforementioned
is being reviewed as a manner in which to get the project
together if the normal funding systems don't materialize.
MR. SPRINGER reminded everyone that the federal government made
$229 million available and earmarked it for the project.
Although the earmarks were removed, the money isn't gone. In
fact, federal rules allow all the [earmarked] money to go into
the bridge. However, the decision [to use the federal funds for
the bridge] has been left to DOT&PF and the legislature.
4:04:42 PM
MR. SPRINGER related that about $93.6 million of the original
federal earmark is in the governor's budget. Furthermore, the
governor recently announced that he will ask the legislature for
$15 million to pave the MacKenzie Road, which will be part of
the bridge project. The aforementioned is fairly significant
because it aids the port and the project.
CHAIR HUGGINS highlighted Mr. Springer's testimony regarding the
fact that the Knik Arm Bridge benefits the crossing and the port
because even if the bridge isn't constructed, the infrastructure
for the port will be necessary assuming some rate of growth in
the port. In other words, that $15 million for the MacKenzie
Road supports the crossing and the port. "It's money that will
come to our community for infrastructure that we have to have,"
he emphasized.
REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE opined that the port director would
probably talk more about these benefits it he wasn't being
stifled by the current borough administration.
MR. SPRINGER continued to discuss the [federal] funds and
related his belief that with any money, where it's to be
allocated needs to be nailed down. He opined that work on the
MacKenzie Road can begin this summer by giving [the funds to
perform the work] directly to the borough. He suggested that
the road could be paved and completed by early next year. He
then noted that $16 million is left to finish the EIS, which
includes some right-of-way acquisition to go through Government
Hill and the military base behind the port at which point the
project is on state land.
4:08:54 PM
MR. SPRINGER said that assuming the $93 million [isn't allocated
elsewhere], the funds can be used to build what it can of the
project. He then related his belief that the total project can
be put together in four separate pieces under four separate
contracts if the funds don't come all at once. He concluded by
commenting that the Knik Arm Crossing isn't competing with the
Gravina Bridge project.
4:10:48 PM
SENATOR COWDERY remarked that he has been working on the concept
of this bridge for a long time. He then pointed out that coal
is shipped to Seward, although he believes the terminal should
be at Point MacKenzie. After talking with the railroad, he came
to understand that $2.50 per ton could be eliminated from the
rail freight [were the terminal located at Point MacKenzie]. He
expressed interest in the bridge project going forward.
4:13:17 PM
EARL LACKEY asked if there are provisions in the substructure
that would allow the railroad to be located on the bridge.
MR. SPRINGER replied no, but added that the railroad idea has
been tossed around from the beginning. He explained that a
railroad bridge and highway bridge are really different, from an
engineering standpoint because of the loading, impact, and
seismic design. Furthermore, [a railroad located on the bridge]
would cause the cost to skyrocket. He related that the Board of
Directors felt that $600 million was the upper limit, which
seems to be supported by the cost estimates thus far.
Therefore, [a railroad located on the bridge] would kill the
project. The project is being designed such that the
geometrics, the alignment of both the horizontal and vertical
grades can be utilized and it would save money. However, he
highlighted that the cap is being extended in the case that the
population would ever support a light rail system.
4:15:35 PM
MR. MILLER, noting that he is a civil engineer, said that he
liked the project how it was proposed six or eight years ago,
when there were discussions about highway corridors that would
connect both ends of the bridge to the rest of the
transportation infrastructure as well as a rail corridor.
Subsequently, U.S. Congressman Don Young announced that he
couldn't obtain the funds for the connecting highways, and thus
only the bridge would be built. To which, Mr. Miller said he
was concerned because a stand-alone bridge would be extremely
susceptible to seismic damage. The Mat-Su Borough area is a
very seismic area. In fact, when the Denali Fault ruptured in
2003 there was 50 feet of lateral displacement along the fault
line. He opined that no matter how well a bridge is built, it
doesn't handle 50 feet of lateral displacement very well if at
all. He informed the committees that two floating bridges in
Seattle sank and the Oakland bay bridge pancaked in an
earthquake. Mr. Miller emphasized that he could support this
project if the highway connections were built first. There
needs to be a four-lane highway from Wasilla to the Knik Arm
Bridge and at least a good two-lane highway from the end of the
Knik Arm Crossing to Willow in order to make the project viable,
he opined.
4:19:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN said that Mr. Miller brings up a good
point with regard to an earthquake. To that end, Representative
Neuman related the need to think of an alternate egress out of
Anchorage because of the problems associated with bridges in
Eagle River giving out.
MR. MILLER said that an earthquake big enough to take down the
Eagle River Bridge would mean that would be concern with regard
to the Knik Arm Bridge also.
4:20:37 PM
MR. SPRINGER agreed with Mr. Miller that the largest engineering
challenge with this project is the seismic design/criteria. He
pointed out that the Geophysical Institute in Anchorage has the
best earthquake monitoring system in North America. Therefore,
the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority has contracted with the
Geophysical Institute to perform a geological and fault
analysis. The two faults in proximity to Knik Arm are different
than the Denali Fault in that they have nearly vertical sheer
blades. He informed the committees that a symposium of the 12
best-known earthquake design engineers in North America
critiqued the project. All 12 scientists agreed with the design
criteria of the project. Mr. Springer commented that by the
time the Knik Arm Bridge goes, all of Anchorage would be gone.
He then related that the Federal Highway Administration has a
special team providing oversight. When the draft EIS is
available, there will be a separate pamphlet addressing this.
He then explained the traffic modeling for the bridge and the
connecting roads. He related that by the year 2022 enough money
from the toll structure will be captured such that the
interconnectivity between the Glenn and the Seward Highways will
occur. He agreed with Mr. Miller that the bridge isn't a stand-
alone structure. Mr. Springer reminded the committee that he is
presenting what came out of the scoping process.
MR. MILLER opined that a four-lane highway is necessary to Point
MacKenzie.
CHAIR HUGGINS said, "We agree with that."
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING thanked everyone and said there are
serious safety concerns on the Parks Highway that need to be
addressed by DOT&PF.
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN also thanked everyone for taking the time
to come out today and provide comments.
CO-CHAIR GATTO reviewed the process.
SENATOR COWDERY said that although he has been elected from a
district [outside the Mat-Su Valley], he represents the entire
state. Therefore, he said he tries to determine which projects
will move the state forward.
4:28:14 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committees, the joint
meeting of the House and Senate Transportation Standing
Committees was adjourned at 4:28 p.m.
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