What's really going on with the railroad?

A Spectrum, by Roy S. Carlson

I woke up one morning to find out that the city of Wasilla was doing a study to put the railroad through my back yard.

In a panic, I alerted some of my neighbors. Then I attended the Dec. 6 Knik-Fairview Community Council meeting where my Mat-Su Borough assembly person, Jody Simpson, was as nervous as a stray cat in a dog kennel on this issue. One hundred seventy-one property owners on Route D responded to my panic alert with letters of opposition to Route D.

Oh no, the city said. This is just a seed study. If it is going to happen it won't be for another seven to 10 years. It won't happen until the study is done, approved by the city, reviewed and approved by the MSB Planning Commission, reviewed and approved by the MSB assembly, accepted by the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), an environmental impact study funded and accomplished and then finally funded from somewhere. I was relieved.

Even Mayor [Sarah] Palin responded to my fears by placing an article in this very paper. She pointed out that I just didn't quite understand. It was "a safety concern" (as we all know, it's for the children). "The study is not yet completed" … "There has been no chosen route to relocate the railroad tracks," … "there has been a great deal of misinformation being distributed about my position on this issue." Sorry mayor, but the only route to accomplish the stated objective of eliminating the 11 at-grade crossings is Route D -- the route near me.

Some of my neighbors express concern that the railroad was just part of the issue. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities was in on this, too. DOT was going to build a Wasilla bypass on the same route, but wanted to stay under the radar on the issue for now. I was in panic mode again.

I went to my state representative, Vic Kohring. (He knows a lot about state roads.) Don't worry, I was assured by my representative and his staff. There is no real push in DOT to do a Wasilla road bypass. Nothing will be done on this issue until the dust settles on the Knik Arm crossing. If the Knik Arm crossing is done, there is no reason for a road or railroad bypass. Both would then come across the causeway. Ah, relief again.

Then I attended another meeting of the Knik-Fairview Community Council (Jan. 3), where I was given a copy of an ARRC Resolution No. 2001-01. ARRC already supports Wasilla's efforts and mentions that: "WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has supported the City's planning efforts." Oops. My panic level is rising again. I read on:

"NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the ARRC Board of Directors hereby supports the City of Wasilla's concept transportation planning efforts to create a more efficient transportation corridor to include both highway and rail alternative routes for its growing community." Oh, oh. Panic level rising even higher. So there is an effort to do both. I'm beginning to feel like a mushroom. I read on:

"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ARRC Board of Directors recommends a task force be formed consisting of Department of Transportation, ARRC, City of Wasilla, and Mat-Su Borough officials to work together to explore this issue and propose a recommended course of action to the affected parties." Panic level peaking. So, almost a year ago, this resolution proposed a task force to work on this. (And I don't think they mean me when they say, "affected parties.")

Then one of my neighbors says, "Don't you know about the ADOT/PF Transportation Corridor Advisory Group? The ARRC, the study engineer and the borough manager, John Duffy, are on it." "Oh shoot," (not my real words). Now I am in full panic mode. I used to work with John Duffy. I feel like the one-legged man standing on the ant hill trying to stomp on ants as they are running up his leg.

Maybe I shouldn't worry so much; however, we still have time to deal with this. No funding has been obtained and nothing can happen until then.

Then I go to the ARRC Jan. 7 open house. (Definition of ARRC open house: major schmoose-job by ARRC to say they informed the public.) The last sentence of the ARRC handout on the Wasilla Rail Relocation Planning read, "The U.S. Senate Transportation Committee has appropriated $2.5 million to pursue an environmental impact study and further planning." Now I'm in hyper-panic mode. The railroad and the bypass are coming.

I have learned a couple things in the past five weeks. First: if a politician or bureaucrat tells you not to worry, worry. Second: if you want to keep ARRC or DOT out of your back yard, attend every meeting and public hearing (like ARRC public meeting, Lake Lucille Inn, Jan. 23; Wasilla City Council meeting Jan. 28; MSB Planning Commission meeting, Feb. 4) to voice your protest. Also, put it in writing and give it to them.

Residents who are in opposition to Route D and would like their name to be put on my update mailing list should send their name and address to me at HC31 Box 5119TA, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Roy S. Carlson has been a Wasilla resident since 1985. He is also retired U.S. Army LTC; deputy district engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1985 to 1989; Mat-Su Borough Public Works Director 1989 to 1992; "fishing and hunting bum" 1992 to present.