Houston wants Borough to make tracks

HOUSTON — Newly elected City Councillman Roger Purcell told Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska Railroad Corp. officials there is interest among members of the council in attracting a rail spur through Houston that could lead to development of a manufacturing business.

Purcell said the city was approached by constituents and a company that wants a loading dock. Purcell said Houston will look into getting a rail connection if such a facility and a depot were included.

Purcell’s comments came at the last of a series of meetings held by planners of the $300 million Port MacKenzie line rail extension, and was good news to those Willow residents who don’t want the line but support Houston’s efforts to get the line for themselves.

Outgoing Houston Mayor Dale Adams, who is being replaced by Purcell, said Houston has been working to get a rail link for “10 to 15 years.”

Adams said he has talked with some firms. He said a depot is less important than the proximity of a rail line to make Houston more attractive to some type of industry.

There are three proposed routes, one starting in Big Lake, one in Houston and one in Willow. Project officials rejected the results of a 2003 study that chose a route starting in Willow as the best choice.

Planning consultants who ran the open houses gathered information so they could gauge community concerns and learn more about the existing land uses on proposed rail routes and each route’s potential impacts on communities and recreational trails.

The rail line will be between 28 and 45 miles in length and is scheduled for completion by 2012. It is anticipated by Borough project executive Joe Perkins that the rail line will spur state economic growth similar to the impact of George Parks Highway, completed 40 years ago. He cited the need to bring in equipment for construction projects, including the natural gas pipeline, should that go through.

Project spokesperson Patty Sullivan said as many as 400 people may have gone through the five open houses, and 373 people signed in on paper. She said a comment summary document is being prepared and could be ready in time for the meeting with the Willow Dog Mushers Association on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Willow Community Center. Snowmachine clubs have been invited and the general public is also welcome, Sullivan said.

Out-of-area residents who own property in the Borough and could not attend any of last week’s open houses may submit comments through a Web site, www.portmacrail.com.

Once a recommendation is made to the federal government, its Surface Transportation Board will study the proposed route and begin a separate review process that will include public comment. That board will approve the route and provide approved contractors who may be hired to build the line.

Contact John R. Moses at john.moses@frontiersman.com or call 352-2270.