HB 173-TRANSFER RAILROAD LAND TO DOTPF: FAIRBANKS   8:57:27 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 173, "An Act authorizing the conveyance of certain land of the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and providing for an effective date." 8:57:58 AM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as the sponsor of HB 173, said the story of HB 173 began over 100 years ago when Captain E. T. Barnette attempted to establish a trading post at the junction of the Tanana River and the Valdez Eagle trail. Along the way, Captain Barnette beached his boat and had to find other passage. He found passage on a vessel that was travelling on the Tanana River from which he then travelled up the Chena River upon which he ultimately beached on a high spot on the river bank. Captain Barnette set up canvas tents, offloaded supplies, and began to build the trading post which ultimately became Fairbanks. The first road was likely around the existing Cushman Street and likely connected Captain Barnette and his men to the outpost. The second road connected one side of the Chena River with the other side that is now a steel bridge. Although many bridges have been constructed in various areas of Fairbanks, the Cushman Street Bridge remains an important part of commerce and serves as an arterial passageway in Fairbanks. He related that traffic jams are common and conditions in the area are difficult. The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the City of Fairbanks have been working on plans to expand and open the city to commerce. Representative Kawasaki opined that Fairbanks is finally at the point at which it can proceed on a project to construct a new Barnette Street Bridge. In fact, funds have been appropriated. However, the Alaska Railroad Act requires legislative approval of all land transfers, which is why the legislation is before the committee today. This legislation is supported by the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), DOT&PF, the City of Fairbanks, and the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Association, and the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, thousands of residents on both sides of the river approve this plan for safety, beautification, and commerce. 9:01:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to whether there has been opposition to HB 173. REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI related that there have been concerns from residents when the plan scoping originally discussed a bridge across Barnette Street. However, he pointed out that currently the Illinois side of the project contains no sidewalks, no pedestrian travel lanes. The point is that the downtown traffic flow would be problematic. He stated that no organized group is opposed to the proposal. 9:02:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS inquired as to why HB 173 is necessary. REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI answered that the Alaska Railroad Act requires that any land transfers between the state and the ARRC be approved by the legislature. He characterized HB 173 as cleanup legislation. 9:03:45 AM DAVID VAN DEN BERG, Executive Director, Downtown Fairbanks Association, related support for HB 173 to facilitate the Illinois Street project. He noted that DOT&PF and ARRC are willing parties in this project. The right-of-way process for the Illinois Street project is the only piece that could cause a delay in the project. The Downtown Association is very reliant on that project going forward in order to begin to implement changes to circulation patterns downtown that will revitalize downtown and bring more retail, commerce, and economic development. In closing, Mr. Van den Berg explained that once the Illinois Street project is going, the way will be clear for the revitalization program. 9:05:40 AM DONNA GARDINO, Metropolitan Planning Organization Coordinator, Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS), informed the committee that FMATS is funding the Illinois Street reconstruction project out of its transportation improvement program. This project has been in the program since 1985 and is in the right-of-way acquisition phase. This legislation will enable DOT&PF to acquire land from ARRC that's necessary to reconstruct Illinois Street. Ms. Gardino relayed that this project is a top priority of FMATS' policy committee. The initial phase of this project, the Barnette Street Bridge, is scheduled to be built this winter and the hope is that the remainder of the project will begin construction in late 2010 or 2011. The critical portion of the schedule is the successful acquisition of right-of-way to construct the project as planned. Given that it's necessary for the legislature to approve the conveyance of lands from the ARRC and ARRC has approved this land transfer, FMATS encourages the legislature to support HB 173. 9:06:53 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked if money was placed in the bond issue that passed for the Illinois Street project last year. MS. GARDINO specified that the bond was for University Avenue. 9:07:31 AM DEBBIE HICKOK, President/CEO, Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau, related support for HB 173. She related that Illinois Street is a major used thoroughfare, although it looks and functions like a tertiary road. Illinois Street is dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, she further related. She opined that the only bone of contention from Fairbanksans is that the project hasn't yet been done. 9:08:47 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS inquired as to how much the roads in Fairbanks would be impacted if the cruise ship industry has problems in Southeast Alaska. MS. HICKOK related that 50 percent of the [tourists] in Fairbanks are cruise ship passengers that are on land tours, which is significant. Furthermore, many of the cruise ship passengers who take land tours come before and after the cruise and act as independent tourists during those times. The coaches that shuttle tourists use the Illinois Street corridor. 9:10:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI related that HB 173 has been wildly supported by each of the large stakeholders in the area. The residents on both sides of the Chena River can look forward to a safer drive with less traffic, which HB 173 would achieve. In response to Representative Harris, Representative Kawasaki specified that the next committee of referral is the House Transportation Standing Committee. 9:11:34 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS moved to report HB 173 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 9:11:48 AM The committee took an at-ease from 9:11 a.m. to 9:12 a.m.