Transportation investment to grow economy

Spectrum, by Mike Barton

Since taking office in December, Gov. Frank Murkowski has consistently advocated for improving our state's economy through transportation improvements. As his chief architect for this undertaking, I would like to offer a few examples of this vision and the work we are doing to see it through to completion.

The first example is the industrial development roads program. State transportation, or the lack of it, is often a key factor when evaluating the feasibility of making resources accessible to development. The Dalton Highway made Prudhoe Bay possible and the DeLong Mountain transportation system opened the Red Dog Mine to world markets. Other similar projects need to be accomplished for development access across our state.

In the near term, smaller projects can be accomplished with great benefit such as the Glacier Creek road near Nome that will improve development prospects at the Rock Creek gold deposit enabling the creation of 100-200 jobs. Longer term, roads opening up large tracts of land leased for oil development could bring billions of barrels and trillions of cubic feet of oil and gas to the U.S. economy. The state has currently identified 13 projects to link resources to key transportation nodes, and will continue to refine this list. The improved access is intended to spur development and increase the lease value of the lands, resulting in more state revenues. Funding has been included in this year's capital budget to jump start these new roads.

Another example of using transportation to strengthen the economy is the community access roads program. Much of rural Alaska's economic development is hindered by high transport costs for food, fuel, people and other requirements. Such costs are often prohibitive and prevent investment and growth.

Currently, in partnership with Denali Commission, we are upgrading the road to Lake Iliamna from Cook Inlet, a project that was identified to reduce freight costs by $3.5 million annually to seven communities. Many similar projects have been identified, ranging from modest projects that can be accomplished in a year or two, to those that will take several years to accomplish.

For example, there are several important road links in Southeast that can both link communities, and reduce the state-funded marine transportation system. The net result will be stronger, more viable communities that are less dependent upon transportation subsidies. A system of short roads and connecting ferries in southern Southeast Alaska and a road from Juneau to Skagway could stimulate the Panhandle economy.

Finally, we are laying the groundwork for completing some major transportation projects -- namely the Knik Arm Crossing and the Gravina Access Project. The governor recently sponsored and passed legislation to create the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority. The purpose of the authority is to develop, stimulate, and advance the economic welfare of the state and further the development of public transportation systems with the construction of the Knik Arm Bridge that would connect the Municipality of Anchorage to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and beyond. This is an investment in the future of our state. The authority would have the ability to plan, design, and construct a bridge, as well as issue bonds and collect tolls to construct and operate the bridge.

The Gravina Access Project, to connect Ketchikan with Gravina Island (where the Ketchikan Airport is located), is well under way. We expect to complete the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) this year and will begin design of the project immediately upon completion of the EIS.

These are some of the road and bridge projects being initiated by the Murkowski administration in order to improve transportation throughout our state. Alaska's air and marine systems are also receiving increased attention. The governor has made it clear that the status quo and stagnancy are not acceptable, and that he intends the state to move forward. We have our marching orders.

Mike Barton is the commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.