Private sector should build road to Nome

The governor’s idea to build a road to Nome likely won’t get the attention the bridge to nowhere did, but at least the bridge had a reason — getting people from Ketchikan to Gravina Island where their airport exists.

The only reason surfacing so far for building the road to Nome is that there may be riches to be had in minerals or oil. If that’s the case, let private industry build the road.

Let the miners go through the myriad permits and environmental studies that will undoubtedly be staggering. The cost, reportedly $4 million to $5 million per mile, or $2 billion total is enough to pay for a lot of things the state really needs, like taking care of the roads we already have. That $2 billion would build about 130 elementary schools.

One question: Does Nome want the road?

Another: What do people in Southcentral or the Interior need in Nome?

Nome probably would see a boost in tourism. But at what cost? Five hundred miles of gas stations, roadhouses and portable toilets?

And if the road kill on the Glenn bothers you, consider the carnage a big rig would do to a passing herd of caribou. A similar incident happened in the mountains of

Colorado recently. A semi plowed into a herd of elk, killing more than a dozen and maiming more. Veteran emergency responders were in shock at the sheer amount of gore.

It’s fine to have big dreams, and this one is certainly Hickelesque in scale, but the only real reason is to mine and pump the land dry. Otherwise you would think the railroad would be interested in hauling goods, materials and people to Nome. If there’s money to be had out there, let Teck or some other international mining concern build the road.

If this road is ever built, tourism promoters can remove “pristine” from their pamphlets. It will be an ugly intrusion to a place people just don’t need to be on a regular basis. Talk about messing with the environment.

Who’s going to help the poor sap from Iowa when his Winnebago breaks down east of Elim? What’s a tow from there to Fairbanks going to cost?

It’s just a bad idea. It’s probably never going to happen, but for the governor to even suggest it seems a bit odd.

People found ways to Nome in 1898 when they were looking for gold, and they didn’t need a road.

If you really want to get to Nome and see the Interior, hitch up a team. Come March 5, Martin Buser and his buddies will show you the way. Or if you’re in a hurry, follow the governor’s husband to Nome on Sunday.