Anyone want to buy a bridge?

MAT-SU — The group tasked with building the Knik Arm Bridge has solicited potential builders for the highway link between Anchorage and Point MacKenzie.

Interested parties have to submit Statements of Qualifications by Sept. 15 and can attend a workshop in Anchorage on Aug. 18.

The bridge was most recently in the news when the Municipality of Anchorage filed a lawsuit over the route traffic would use to access the bridge from Anchorage. Before that, it was over wrangling in the Legislature over increased state funding to the project.

But KABATA says it’s confident there is interest in the project, which is envisioned as a partnership with a private company that would build the bridge and then recoup costs through tolls paid to use it.

KABATA officials, including state Sen. Linda Menard, recently went to New York to meet with investors.

State to audit prison process

POINT MACKENZIE — The Goose Creek Correctional Center is set to receive an audit, according to a request for proposals issued last week.

The state seeks proposals from firms wishing to look into the process to build the prison, which is nearly complete. The Mat-Su Borough built it with the understanding that it would recoup costs through lease payments from the state.

The project was running smoothly until concerns arose about the cost of providing sewer and water service for such a large facility in a remote area.

During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers had harsh words for the project, which many perceived as being too expensive. Numbers thrown around at the time seemed to indicate it would cost more to house prisoners there rather than out of state like they currently are.

Those discussions ended with the Legislature deciding to conduct an audit. Would-be auditors must submit proposals by July 29. The solicitation poses a number of questions about the project.

Some look at permitting issues and whether the project complied with state permits. The state wants to know if materials used were properly tested.

There is a series of questions that seem aimed at trying to figure out whether the borough properly analyzed costs before selecting Point MacKenzie.

“Was the final selection a cost-effective location?” reads the solicitation.

There is also a slate of questions about the water and sewer issues.

“Is the utility providing water and wastewater treatment and disposal a utility regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska? If not, why not and is there an alternative way to ensure the state is paying only reasonable utility rates?”

The request for proposals envisions a contract with the auditor lasting until June 2012, though the final report will be due Dec. 15, 2011.

Parnell gives OK to Susitna dam

MAT-SU — Gov. Sean Parnell has signed legislation giving a green light to the potential owner of the proposed Susitna hydroelectric dam.

According to a press release from his office, the governor’s signature granted the Alaska Energy Authority the ability to begin engineering and design work on the project. The dam is expected to provide 600 megawatts of power, or roughly half of Southcentral Alaska’s energy needs, at rates comparable to those available today.

The dam would be in an area at river Mile 184 in an area east of Talkeetna called Watana.

—Andrew Wellner