Mayor prioritizes transportation issues

MAT-SU — Whether the mode is foot, automobile or boat, making sure residents and visitors can efficiently get from one place to another is a priority for the Mat-Su Borough.

Borough Mayor Curt Menard has outlined a trio of transportation and recreation issues the Borough is working to address. Those issues include a Bogard Road extension, designation of trails and selecting a ferry landing site in Anchorage.

For more than three years, the Bogard Road Extension East project has been a contentious plan for many Valley residents and one of the Borough’s top transportation priorities. In a nutshell, the extension would run from near Trunk Road to the Glenn Highway and serve as an additional east-west corridor through the Valley.

“The whole point of the Bogard Road extension is to relieve the Palmer-Wasilla Highway,” Menard said.

The mayor said the Palmer-Wasilla Highway is overcrowded and dangerous. In fact, the highway, the Parks Highway and Knik-Goose Bay Road are the three most dangerous roads in the area, he said. With that in mind, extending Bogard Road is an ideal project that would help relieve congestion and save lives.

Problem is many Valley residents have issues with the proposed routes to get Bogard Road from Point A to Point B. Menard said the project has been stuck in the planning stages mainly due to public concerns. Of the two main routes identified by Borough staff — Alternative 2 (also called the red route) and Alternative 3 (yellow route) — neither has won the approval of residents. Overall, residents oppose the routes because they run too close to and between schools, homes and farms. Recently, a blue route was added as another alternative.

If built, Alternative 2 would run between North 49th State Street and the Glenn Highway. On the Glenn Highway side, the road would align with Arctic Avenue. This route provides somewhat of a straight shot, but bends slightly south. Another possible alignment for the route shifts a portion to the north and through Arabian Acres.

Alternative 3 is the northern route. It would run between the same points, but it would be located along a section line with most of the extension north of Scott Road and south of Marsh Road. This alternative would also align with Arctic Avenue after dipping from its northerly alignment.

The blue route is a variation of Alternative 3 and arcs further north toward Marsh Road.

A Thursday meeting with the Borough Assembly and area residents resulted in a deadlock over which, if any, alternative would be pursued. The assembly will take up the issue again at its March 18 meeting (see related story on.

On the water

When it comes to marine transportation, Menard said the Borough is looking forward to establishing a ferry system that travels between Point MacKenzie and Anchorage. Known as the Cook Inlet Ferry system, the mayor said the ferry will provide an alternative to driving from Wasilla to Anchorage. The ferry, which the Borough will receive at no cost from the U.S. Navy, will hold about 115 passengers and 20 vehicles. The Borough will be responsible for operating the service.

In addition to providing a transportation alternative, the ferry falls in line with plans to develop industry and a marine port in the area.

Menard said the Valley side of the project is running somewhat smoothly, but challenges exist on the Anchorage side of the inlet. Some entities, including the Anchorage Assembly, have opposed the project’s preferred siting of a dock area near Ship Creek.

Other options exist, but Menard said they aren’t feasible for the ferry. One would be to establish a landing at the Port of Anchorage. It would require constant dredging to keep the inlet deep enough and would cost about $10 million a year.

Although the site selection has presented problems, Menard said the Borough is anxious to move forward with the project.

“The ferry will be delivered in August or September of next year, so we have to get that facility in,” he said.

On foot

On the recreational side of Borough business, Menard said dedicating new trails is becoming more of a priority. As the Borough grows, recreational areas are losing ground to new development.

“We have a lot of trails in the Valley, but if we don’t dedicate them and have them surveyed it doesn’t mean anything,” the mayor said.

Although there are several trails running throughout the Borough, many lack official recognition. Without that recognition, or dedication, development can stretch into these areas residents have come to rely on for recreation.

Linda Brenner, acting director of community development for the Borough, said there are several trails under consideration for dedication. The location of trails range from Lazy Mountain to Eureka and include Sutton area trails, Lazy Mountain, Slide Mountain and John Lake.

Brenner said trails are nominated to become part of the Mat-Su Borough Recreational Trails Plan. Once they are approved, projects are prioritized and implemented when funding and other resources are available, but it takes time.

“It could take one to two years to get a trail dedicated,” Brenner said.

Menard said the Borough usually reserves about $150,000 in its budget for the development and maintenance of local trails. This year, he hopes to increase the appropriation by $50,000 to help cover costs of new and ongoing projects. He also hopes to add $75,000 for a new position to help make sure the state Department of Natural Resources takes notice of the Borough’s trail needs.

Overall, the mayor said trails are important to the Valley and residents.

“If we have a good trail system that’s close, it makes for a better quality of life,” he said.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.