It pays to consider cost

The Palin administration and the Alaska Department of Transportation deserve praise for their recent decision to undertake an independent cost estimate for the Knik Arm Bridge, announced at the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority’s June 19 board of directors meeting.

Washington state requires independent worst-case/best-case cost estimate ranges for all projects over $100 million, which has resulted in strong public support for transportation bond measures.

Given the expensive technical challenges of the proposed Juneau Road project (with a projected cost of $374 million, likely to go much higher when geotechnical work is complete), there’s a similar need for an independent cost estimate. If a worst-case cost estimate is not undertaken, unexpectedly high Juneau Road costs could tarnish Governor Palin’s fiscal responsibility legacy in years to come.

Lois Epstein

Alaska Transportation

Priorities Project

Anchorage