Railroad outlines plans for extension to Port MacKenzie

If the Alaska Railroad sticks to its schedule, there could be rail traffic to Port MacKenzie in three years or less.

In its project fact sheet, the railroad said the final design of the route would be complete this year. Construction would be complete by 2012. After that, the engines and cars would start rumbling down to water’s edge.

If that happens, places as far away as Fairbanks can start shipping goods to this area’s only deep-water port. Freighters can bring in material from distant lands. Industry will flourish statewide. Good-paying jobs will be created.

If the railroad’s fact sheet is correct, this is a project that we can see in the immediate future, something we can hang our hat on — unlike the gas pipeline that continues to seem like a pipe dream.

Speaking of the gas pipeline, with lots of room to grow at the port, it would make a great staging area for the pipe project. Heavy equipment could come there by ship. The materials to build the pipeline could be stored there until needed.

This line extension, along with the port emerging as an industry hub, puts the Valley in a good position to do great things down the road.

In a press release, the railroad says it has budgeted more than $43 million for capital improvements for this year.

Much of that money is scheduled to be spent in the Mat-Su Borough. In addition to line extension to the port, there are plans for relocating tracks in Wasilla, a commuter rail study, restrooms in Talkeetna and some bridge work, including the Matanuska River.

Other than seeing a train pass by, many people don’t think much about railroads. The image that comes to mind is that railroads are old school in this day of digital this and Internet that.

The fact is, railroads are the backbone of the country’s freight hauling.

If you need further convincing, think back to last year when Warren Buffett, the billionaire, started buying railroads like he had Monopoly money. If Buffet thinks railroads are a sound investment, then who is anybody to argue? He’s done pretty well for himself.

The rail extension connecting to existing tracks somewhere north of Wasilla will be a boon to the statewide economy and the Valley will be at the heart of it.

That can’t happen soon enough.