New study: West Susitna Access project would open vast land area to recreation, economic development

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, or AIDEA, has released a report by McKinley Research on a proposed 100-mile access road to reach lands in the western Matanuska-Susitna Borough currently not accessible by year-around surface transportation.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is a big supporter of the project.

“The West Susitna road is important for local residents and gaining fair access to hunting, fishing, and potential jobs,” the governor said in a statement.

“My Administration is constantly looking at ways to grow our economy and this project is a great opportunity for not only south-central Alaska but the entire state. I am committed to this project and unlocking resources that benefit all Alaskans.”

What is now planned is a 24-foot-wide road with a design vehicle speed of 45 miles per hour. It would require 11 bridges including a major bridge across the Susitna River. Construction costs are estimated at $356.9 million, according to the McKinley Research report.

The road would be open to public use but it is anticipated that resource developers now working in the region would help pay for the road through user fees. However, the mechanism to do this is still under development, McKinley Research said in the report.

As planned now the road would start near the west end of Ayrshire Road in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and head northwest to the vicinity of the confluence of the Talachulitna and Skwentna Rivers.

The route will cross the Skwentna River and continue generally along the north side of the Skwentna River. Near the Happy River crossing, the route would continue west to a point near existing mineral exploration infrastructure.The project anticipates construction starting in 2025, pending permitting approvals and financial investment decisions.

One mining project near the end of the road is in advanced exploration while there are three others at earlier stages of evaluation. The most advanced is Nova Minerals’ Estelle project with 6 to 9 million ounces of identified gold, copper and silver. Development of two gold prospects at Estelle could require a $500 million to $600 million capital investment, according to the McKinley Research report.

Two other mineral projects include Whistler, Island Mountain and Raintree West, all three being explored by Goldmining Inc. They are gold and copper prospects. Whistler has 2.8 estimated gold and copper resources, while Island Mountain has 2 million ounces of resources. Raintree West has 1.6 million ounces of estimated resources.

“If any one of these projects were developed, the region could see between 200 and 500 new direct mining jobs and $24 million to $59 million in annual operating wages,” McKinley Research said in its report.

If just the Estelle mining projects are developed there would be significant revenues to the sate and Matanuska-Susitna Borough, according to the McKinley Research report. Estimated new property taxes paid to the borough are $4.4 million yearly. One of the two prospects in Estellie would pay an estimated $2 million in mining license taxes and $700,000 yearly in royalties.

These could double or triple if other prospects in exploration become mines.

In comparison, wilderness lodges in the West Susitna region have paid less than $100,000 in state corporate income tax over the years, McKinley Research said.

The access road would also provide access to 3.4 million acres of forest land owned by the state of Alaska and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough along with 48,500 acres of land suitable for agriculture, according to the McKinley Research report.

Access to the region could also enhance sports fishing and hunting. Here are excerpts from the McKinley Research report:

“The West Su region currently hosts sport and personal use fishermen … Construction of the West Susitna Access Road is most likely to entice more anglers to the Skwentna River and its tributaries where current access is most limited. The road would also intersect with the new lower Susitna salmon dipnet fishery… the proximity of this dipnet fishery to Anchorage and the Mat-Su, road access would likely draw significantly more participants, to the extent fisheries management allows growth in effort and harvest.

The report also discussed hunting:

“The West Susitna region is also a big game hunting destination for moose, Dall sheep, bear, and caribou, among others, with a total 624 big game animals harvested in 2021. Most hunts in the region are classified as general season, the least restrictive hunt type in Alaska with harvest open to residents and nonresidents … The number of hunters in the region has been limited due to lack of access. Road access is expected to draw significantly more hunters to the region, and the highest proportion would likely be Southcentral Alaska residents … Increased hunting access and interest in the region may enhance the recreation industry through modest increases in demand for hunting guides and potential stops by hunters at local wilderness lodges, the report said.

In a statement on the McKinley report, AIDEA said: “The results of the economic study conclude the West Susitna Access project would provide significant benefits to the local community and the State of Alaska including recreation, subsistence opportunities.”

AIDEA will be hosting two community meetings in March to present the findings of the economic study and to update the public on the project. The first was on Thursday, March 23 at the Skwentna Roadhouse in Skwentna. The second meeting will be Friday, March 31 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Evangelo’s Restaurant at 2530 E. Parks Highway in Wasilla, Alaska.