Mat-Su well represented in state road plans

MAT-SU — The state has outlined its spending program for large, federally funded projects.

Approved late last week, the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program lists more than 20 Mat-Su area projects it hopes to tackle, fully or partially, between now and 2015. The projects include just about every main artery in the Valley — the Glenn Highway, the Parks Highway, Knik-Goose Bay Road and Seward Meridian all made the cut.

But how much of a certainty is it these projects will move forward?

Allen Kemplen, Mat-Su Area Planner with the state’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, said the STIP is definitely not an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink wish list.

“It’s what we can do,” Kemplen said, though not necessarily what the state will be able to accomplish.

But unlike other capital improvement lists, this one has to fit within the state’s reasonable expectations of how much money the federal government will send its way.

“There’s a certain amount of money that’s going to be made available. All of the projects that people want they have to fit within that amount of money,” Kemplen said.

Here, in alphabetical order, is about $492 million worth of road projects that made the cut:

• Bogard Road Extension — The Mat-Su Borough has been working on this project for some time and is buying up right of way to extend Bogard to Palmer. The state’s notes include mentions of potential state funding, meaning the Legislature might have to act for this one to go forward. The price tag is $32 million.

• Glenn Highway erosion — For just over $7 million, the state wants to move the highway away from the eroding Matanuska River bank.

• Glenn Highway expansion — $74 million in funding with some pretty solidly identified federal sourcing has the state thinking it can upgrade the Glenn Highway from its interchange with the Parks Highway to the Old Glenn Highway on the north side of Palmer from two to four lanes.

• Glenn Highway rehabilitation, Moose Creek area — Just over $40 million could allow the state to reconstruct Miles 53 to 56 of the highway, straightening one of the curves and putting in a new bridge over the creek.

• Glenn Highway rehabilitation through Chickaloon — DOT would like to fix the highway between Miles 66.5 and 80 with major changes at the Fish Lakes Road and Chickaloon River. Funding would come mostly through federal money, totaling close to $50 million.

• Knik-Goose Bay widening — This one would cost more than $110 million. The state is looking at the Legislature in Juneau for funding. The idea is to rebuild Knik-Goose Bay as a divided four-lane road from Wasilla to Settlers Bay Drive.

• Parks Highway widening — This one has already been discussed at local meetings and would use more than $150 million to expand the highway to four lanes from Lucus Road to Big Lake Road.

• Seward Meridian — The state would punch the road through to Seldon Road and upgrade it to four lanes. It should cost $29 million.

Also on the list are the Knik Arm Bridge and the rail extension to Point MacKenzie. The state plans to use tolls on the bridge to pay back a private developer. The rail spur has already scored state money, but will need quite a bit more.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.