Keeping Alaska roads in shape

by Cara Christiansen
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

MAT-SU borough, Alaska -- Getting Alaska's roads in shape and keeping them that way is a year-round job. Determining where to put roads, bridges and other transportation projects is work that takes years of planning.

Today, representatives from around the state and the Department of Transportation laid out a map for Alaska's future. Ferry schedules, runway conditions and road construction can impede a traveler's progress. Budget shortfalls can impede the state's ability to make improvements to Alaska's transportation highways and byways.

The Transportation Stakeholders Group sat with DOT officials and consultants to figure out how to work around problems and needs in the transportation system.

Eric Taylor with DOT said one problem looms larger than others.

"We're looking at all of the modes and looking at our funding sources for dealing with those modes and seeing if there's a shortfall and that's what we're seeing," Taylor said.

A consulting group began a baseline analysis last year, identified needs and mapping them out in the 2030 plan, which covers highways, aviation, maritime highways and transit.

DOT is looking to the public for their input.

"The public often has a lot of ideas that we, who deal with transportation every day, don't necessarily think about and so we're always interested in hearing what people think," Taylor said.

Several people took advantage of time set aside today for public comment by calling in and showing up to voice concerns.

Sue Ely with the Alaska Center for the Environment said getting rid of big projects would save the state money.

"We think that there's a great possibility to take some of the larger mega-projects; the Knik Arm bridge, the Gravina bridge and the Juneau road out of this discussion and that would free up about $2 billion," Ely said.

Lois Epstein with the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project said funding is important.

"In terms of developing a state-funded transportation maintenance program, that's something else the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project would support. We do need stable funding for our roads and our maintenance," Epstein said.

Other roadblocks the group faces include significant maintenance needs at airports around the state and the rising cost of roadway materials.

The next mile marker for the group is a meeting scheduled for November in Fairbanks.

The transportation stakeholders group looks at the big picture, not individual projects. They do take input, though, from towns and cities around the state, and the public will have more chances to comment at its future meetings.

In addition to the meeting scheduled in Fairbanks in November, there is an open house tonight.

Contact Cara Christiansen at cchristiansen@ktuu.com