Talkeetna residents question railroad proposal

July 3, 2007

By John R. Moses / Frontiersman

TALKEETNA - Residents of this small river community have more questions than answers - 18 formal ones to date - about what would happen if the Alaska Railroad Corp. moves ahead with plans to build a new at-grade crossing and new roads downtown.

Community leaders sent the railroad the list of concerns about the railroad's conceptual map showing a new winter depot site, an extension of Main Street and other changes that could reshape traffic patterns in the downtown area and East Talkeetna. Some of the top concerns for local residents are potential for increased traffic through downtown, blockage of the Second Street crossing and potential for longer trains as railroad traffic grows.

The council and Chamber of Commerce hosted an initial meeting last month. The council will hold another special meeting sometime after July 15.

Community Council Chair Ruth Wood e-mailed the questions to interested parties and said she hoped to have a follow-up community council meeting this month to refine the questions. The issue also appears on the council's July 9 meeting agenda.

Railroad spokesman Tim Thompson said he is happy to see the council draft a list of questions so quickly.

&#8220This is a good start,” he said. &#8220These questions help set the framework for future meetings. The concept map is just that, a concept, but it gives everyone a good frame of reference to begin the planning process discussion.”

Thompson said he would distribute the list to railroad officials who will be involved in the planning process.

Railroad CEO Pat Gamble raised the proposed road and depot changes at a May Talkeetna Town Council forum and brought along a color map outlining proposed roadways and other improvements. Gamble asked council and residents to make some fast decisions on what they would support so the railroad would know whether or not to invest in Talkeetna's future. He then led an animated and impromptu discussion of the map as residents gathered around in the Talkeetna Elementary School gymnasium.

Concerns include the length of time the current railroad grade, at Second Street, would be blocked by trains, the impact of new trains hauling coal and increased traffic downtown and around the Village Park.

The railroad's proposal also includes new streets in East Talkeetna on railroad land, including an extension of Main Street linked by a new at-grade crossing. Also being discussed is creation of a pedestrian undercrossing that could also serve as an emergency vehicle access to East Talkeetna, and the possible relocation of the Mahay's River Service office on the Talkeetna Spur to a lot next door so a new winter rail depot could be built on the site of river boat charter business's current office.

The conceptual map may be viewed at www.alaskarailroad.com/arrc31.html.

Contact John R. Moses at 352-2270 or by e-mailing john.moses@frontiersman.com.