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Is the proposed Knik Arm bridge a good idea or a "Bridge to Nowhere"?
Who will benefit and who will be harmed if the bridge is built?
Are there other alternatives that should be considered?
What will the bridge cost and who will pay for it?
This website provides factual information and documentation to answer these questions.
News and Events
Sunday, August 31, 2008
AMATS QAs Attachment B 080708.pdf
To view Senator Johnny Ellis and Representative Gara's letter to Governor Palin, please click here.
To view KABATA's response to Senator Ellis and Representative Gara, please click here.
To view KABATA's response to the DOT letter, please click here.
To view KABATA's answers to the DOT letter, please click here.
To view supplementary letter information such as design and cost estimates, please click here.
To view this 6/9/08 ADN article, please
click here.
"Knik Arm: Fork in Road, or Stick Fork In It?"
To view this 6/9/08 ADN article, please click here.
"Political Geology of the Knik Crossing."
To view this 6/10/08 ADN animation, please click here.
"Liabilities Blur Knik Bridge Agency's Cost Estimates"
To view this 6/11/08 ADN article, please clich here.
To view this ADN article, please click here.
ARRC
Defenders of Wildlife
EPA
Gardner
Government Hill Community Council
Hulbert
Marine Mammal Commission
MOA
NOAA
Norgaard
SHPO
Trustees for Alaska
Walton
To view the press release issued by Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.
To listen to the hearing, please click here, then click on the Senate Transportation Committee hearing link for March 25, 2008.
To view this ADN article, please click here.
2/16/08 News Article: "Knik Arm Crossing Project Will Benefit from More Oversight."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
2/18/08 News Article: "State Population Statistics Give Mat-Su Growth a New Spin."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
To view comments submitted by the Government Hill Community Council, please use the links below:
Document 1.
Document 2.
Document 3.
Knik Arm Bridge EIS Shows the Toll Bridge Won't Alleviate Commuter Congestion.
To view the ATPP press release, please click here.
To view the document, please click here.
To view the US PIRG Report, please click here.
The men who gave us the "Bridge to Nowhere" may be headed there themselves."
To view this WSJ article, please click here.
9/26/07 News Article: "Bye bridge - No more plan for panned span."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
To view this MVF article, please click here.
7/25/07 News Article: Money on Hold for Some, but Not All, DOT Projects."
To view this KTVA article, please click here.
7/20/07 News Article: "Club Poll Shows Alaska Republican Primary Voters Fed Up with Pork."
To view this Club for Growth article, please click here.
7/19/07 News Article: "Keeping Alaska Roads in Shape."
To view this KTUU article, please click here.
7/6/07 News Article: "Spare Downtown Extra Traffic, Add Gambell-Ingra Connection."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
To view this KTUU Article, please click here.
To read the complete set of comments, please click here.
To read the Johnston Study, please click here.
To read the Balbus Study Part 1, please click here.
To read the Balbus Study Part 2, please click here.
What: Civil engineer Michael Replogle with Environmental Defense in DC (www.environmentaldefense.org), a national expert on public-private partnerships and how they can be structured to protect communities and the public interest, will be speaking in Anchorage on The Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Partnership: Smart Transportation for the Anchorage Region? The presentation will help Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough decision-makers and residents understand the implications of the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) engaging in a Public-Private Partnership agreement with private investors. For example, currently there is no process for public input into the contract that may be signed by KABATA and private investors, leaving it up to KABATA and the private investor(s) to determine bridge toll rates, maintenance and off-ramp requirements, etc.
Sponsors: Downtown, Fairview, and Government Hill Community Councils; Alaska Center for the Environment; Alaska Conservation Alliance; Alaska Public Interest Research Group; Alaska Transportation Priorities Project; Anchorage Citizens Coalition; and Friends of Mat-Su.
When and Where: Tuesday, June 19, 7-9 pm, Rasmuson Hall 101 at UAA (see #5 on the campus map, http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/map/); free parking.
Additional Information: Mr. Replogle also will speak to the Business and Economic Development Committee of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 20, from 11:30-1, at the Anchorage School District building (5530 East Northern Lights Blvd.). The meeting is open to all, but only Chamber members may participate in discussions.
To view this ADN Article, please click here.
5/26/07 News Article: "Anchorage's Endangered White Whales"
To view this Far North Science Article, please click here.
5/25/07 Press Release: "KABATA Establishes Public/Private
Partnership Task Force"
To view this KABATA Press Release, please click here.
5/23/07 Compass Piece: "The More Sprawl, the Higher the Costs"
To view this ADN Compass Piece, please click here.
5/16/07 News Article: "The Numbers Don't Lie, and the Time to Act is Now"
To view this ADN Article, please click here.
5/14/07 News Article: "Alaska's Friends and Family Plan"
To view this Roll Call Article, please click here.
5/13/07 News Article: "Senate OKs $1.6 Billion Budget"
To view this ADN Article, please click here.
To view this ADN LTE, please click here.
4/13/07 News Article: "Begich Rips Knik Arm Committee for Yes Vote"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
4/12/07 News Article: "Begich Pulls Support of Bridge"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
To view the Hays Research Group Poll Methodology and Documentation, please click here.
To view the resolution, please click here.
To view this AJC story, please click here.
3/18/07 News Article: "Poll Timed Before Assembly Vote Shows Support for Bridge"
To view this AJC story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Knik Bridge Clears Assembly Hurdle - VOTE: Despite Testimony From Foes, Project Forwarded to the City's List of Priorities"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Assembly Wants Bridge Plans to Go Forward"
To view this KIMO story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Project Recommended by Assembly"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Anchorage Assembly Supports Making Knik Arm Bridge a Top Priority"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
3/13/07 News Article: "Bridge Authority Receives Two Proposals"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/13/07 News Article: "Opponents Say Knik Arm Bridge Poll Was Biased"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
3/13/07 News Article: "Bridge Poll Biased, Say Opponents"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
3/12/07 News Article: "Building a Bridge?"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
3/12/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Backers Release Favorable Poll"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/11/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Funding Plan Draws Criticism"
To view this Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.
3/6/07 News Article: "Alaskan Bridge Projects Resist Earmarks Purge"
To view this New York Times story, please click here.
3/5/07 News Article: "Mayor Says Bridge Authority's Math Doesn't Add Up"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/5/07 News Article: "Alaska's Megaproject Mentality - Part 1"
To view this Insurgent 49 story, please click here.
ABSTRACT: The proposed Knik Arm Bridge project poses a serious risk for private investors, with large uncertainties in project costs, funding, permitting, and liability. This report documents those uncertainties.
Who: Anchorage Assembly
What: Will vote on including the Knik Arm Bridge in the city's Long Range Transportation Plan
Where: Loussac Library, Assembly Chambers
When: Tuesday, March 13, 6-11 pm (check Channel 10 that night for timing; this issue is far down on the agenda).
For more details on what you can do to help as well as talking points, please click here.
February 27th Anchorage Assembly Meeting Minutes Summary:
More than 20 people testified until the close of the February 27 hearing against the proposed Knik Arm Bridge. Only 4 people testified in favor of the bridge (including two from the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority). To view the related ADN story, please click here.
Key issues raised by those opposing the bridge:
- direct and indirect costs of the project; indirect costs include downtown through midtown mitigation costs, downtown congestion, higher road repair costs from truck traffic, etc.,
- the possibility that there may be no money available for the Ingra-Gambell connection that will be needed when the A/C couplet reaches capacity,
- the possibility of the federal money given to KABATA last year being used for more desirable projects (e.g., the highway-to-highway connection, though it could only fund a small portion of that project),
- the destruction of approximately 14 homes on Government Hill,
- isolating the Anchorage museum between highway roads,
- undermining the Anchorage 2020 comprehensive plan, and
- essentially no benefits to Anchorage beyond construction jobs.
Assembly member Chris Birch may have a conflict of interest due to his employment at ASCG, Inc., a road-building firm, though the Assembly voted down sending that question to the board of ethics.
Here are some of the Commissioners' findings (For full minutes of the meeting, click here.)
To view the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes, please
click here
To view this ABC Alaska News story, please click here.
2/28/07 News Article: "Battle Over a Bridge"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
2/28/07 News Article: "Get Bridge Off the A-list, Critics Say"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
2/26/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Future Now in Assembly's Hands"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
2/23/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Vote Delayed Over Traffic Concerns"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
2/23/07 News Article: "Billion Dollar Bridge"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
2/23/07 News Article: "Committee Delays Vote to Add Bridge to City's Transportation Plan"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
2/21/07 Radio Story: "Community Forum"
To listen to this APRN story, please click here.
Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA), Alaska DOT (ADOT) and Consultants. This team
met from April 24 through 28, 2006 at the HDR Consulting offices in Anchorage, Alaska. The purpose of this workshop was to perform a cost review and probability analysis for the construction cost estimate for the Knik Arm Crossing project.
Download and read the Cost Estimate Review Study:
PDF format, 96pages, 2.5MB
January 17, 2007, 10am-12 pm, at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center (121 W. 7th Avenue); and
January 23, 2007, 9-11 am, at the Sheraton Manhattan Hotel, Manhattan Room (790 7th Ave. at 51st St., New York, NY).
All comments are in PDF format.
Alaska Center for the Environment, et al.
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Department of The Interior
Government Hill Community Council
Knik Tribal Council
Marine Mammal Commission
Municipality of Anchorage
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
State of AK Department of Natural Resources
Native Village of Eklutna
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The following are links to the DEIS:
Letter of Transmittal PDF (454 KB)
Cover Page PDF (753 KB)
Signature Page PDF (445 KB)
Table of Contents PDF (166 KB)
Executive Summary PDF
Acronyms & Abbreviations PDF (112 KB)
Chapter 1: Purpose of a Need for the Action PDF (102 KB)
Chapter 2: Alternatives PDF (3.42 MB)
Chapter 3: Affected Environment PDF (1.72 MB)
Chapter 4: Environmental Consequences PDF (1.76 MB)
Chapter 5: DEIS Preparers and Recipients PDF (192 KB)
Chapter 6: DEIS Distribution List PDF (121 KB)
Chapter 7: Comments and Coordination PDF (322 KB)
References PDF (199 KB)
Index PDF (113 KB)
To view the entire report, please click on the link below:
WSA%20Final%20Report%201%20.pdf">Wilbur Smith Report
Note Figure 5 of the Report which indicates that it takes 48 minutes to drive to Anchorage from Wasilla on existing roads and nearly 60 minutes via the proposed Knik Arm Bridge. The Report states that “Wasilla is beyond the area of influence for the Bridge.” Only from the sparsely-populated locations west of Houston and in currently-undeveloped areas near Point MacKenzie will commuters benefit from the Bridge.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
KABATA Answers to Questions Regarding Knik Arm Crossing Project
This PDF document contains KABATA's responses to questions initially posed at the AMATS Policy Committee meeting June 12, 2008.AMATS QAs Attachment B 080708.pdf
Monday, June 09, 2008
Rep. Gara and Sen. Ellis's Letters to KABATA and Governor Palin
To view Representative Les Gara's letter to KABATA regarding lack of oversight and public protection, please click here.To view Senator Johnny Ellis and Representative Gara's letter to Governor Palin, please click here.
To view KABATA's response to Senator Ellis and Representative Gara, please click here.
Alaska Department of Transportation's Letter to KABATA 4-22-08
To view the DOT letter, please click here.To view KABATA's response to the DOT letter, please click here.
To view KABATA's answers to the DOT letter, please click here.
To view supplementary letter information such as design and cost estimates, please click here.
June TV/Radio/News Articles
"Knik Arm Bridge Hits Fork in the Road."To view this 6/9/08 ADN article, please
click here.
"Knik Arm: Fork in Road, or Stick Fork In It?"
To view this 6/9/08 ADN article, please click here.
"Political Geology of the Knik Crossing."
To view this 6/10/08 ADN animation, please click here.
"Liabilities Blur Knik Bridge Agency's Cost Estimates"
To view this 6/11/08 ADN article, please clich here.
Monday, April 07, 2008
April TV/Radio/News Articles
"Engineers Urged to Revoke Permit for Port Project - $700 Million: Groups Say Corps Used Bad Information."To view this ADN article, please click here.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Knik Arm Bridge Final Environmental Impact Statement Comments
To view these comments, please follow the links below:ARRC
Defenders of Wildlife
EPA
Gardner
Government Hill Community Council
Hulbert
Marine Mammal Commission
MOA
NOAA
Norgaard
SHPO
Trustees for Alaska
Walton
KABATA Oversight Bill Hearing in Senate Transportation Committee, March 25, 2008
To view the press release issued by Sen. Johnny Ellis, please click here.To view the press release issued by Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.
To listen to the hearing, please click here, then click on the Senate Transportation Committee hearing link for March 25, 2008.
Monday, March 03, 2008
February TV/Radio/Print News Articles
2/14/08 News Article: "Legislators Want Say in Knik Bridge Deal."To view this ADN article, please click here.
2/16/08 News Article: "Knik Arm Crossing Project Will Benefit from More Oversight."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
2/18/08 News Article: "State Population Statistics Give Mat-Su Growth a New Spin."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
Knik Arm Crossing Final Environmental Impact Statement Comments
To view comments submitted by Trustees for Alaska on behalf of the Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE), Alaska Public Interest Research Group, Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, Anchorage Citizens Coalition, Cook Inletkeeper, Government Hill Community Council, and North Gulf Oceanic Society, please click here.To view comments submitted by the Government Hill Community Council, please use the links below:
Document 1.
Document 2.
Document 3.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Alaska Transportation Priorities Project Press Release
Alaska's Remaining "Bridge to Nowhere" Relies on Speculative Development to Cover Project Costs.Knik Arm Bridge EIS Shows the Toll Bridge Won't Alleviate Commuter Congestion.
To view the ATPP press release, please click here.
Knik Arm Bridge Final Environmental Impact Statement
KABATA has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement.To view the document, please click here.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
ATPP and AK PIRG Press Release
To view the 10/2/07 Press Release, please click here.To view the US PIRG Report, please click here.
September TV/Radio/News Articles
9/24/07 News Article: "North to the Future:The men who gave us the "Bridge to Nowhere" may be headed there themselves."
To view this WSJ article, please click here.
9/26/07 News Article: "Bye bridge - No more plan for panned span."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Letter from Mayor Begich to Governor Palin on KABATA
To read the letter from Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin regarding KABATA's authorizing legislation, please click here.Monday, July 09, 2007
July TV/Radio/News Articles
7/29/07 News Article: "DOT May Change Its Priorities for Knick Bridge."To view this MVF article, please click here.
7/25/07 News Article: Money on Hold for Some, but Not All, DOT Projects."
To view this KTVA article, please click here.
7/20/07 News Article: "Club Poll Shows Alaska Republican Primary Voters Fed Up with Pork."
To view this Club for Growth article, please click here.
7/19/07 News Article: "Keeping Alaska Roads in Shape."
To view this KTUU article, please click here.
7/6/07 News Article: "Spare Downtown Extra Traffic, Add Gambell-Ingra Connection."
To view this ADN article, please click here.
Friday, June 29, 2007
June TV/Radio/News Articles
6/27/07 News Article: "Knik Bridge Added to City Transportation Plan"To view this KTUU Article, please click here.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Comments Opposing Including the Knik Arm Bridge in the Anchorage Bowl's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
The Alaska Center for the Environment, Alaska Public Interest Research Group, Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Cook Inletkeeper, Environmental Defense, and Government Hill Community Council submit these comments opposing the proposed addition of the Knik Arm Crossing to the long range transportation plan (LRTP) and transportation improvement program (TIP) for the Anchorage Bowl planning area. As set out below, Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) have not satisfied the planning requirements of the Federal Aid Highway Act (FAHA), as amended by SAFETEA-LU, Pub. L. No. 109-59 (2005). Specifically, neither AMATS or USDOT have completed a major investment study (MIS) in accordance with 23 U.S.C. § 134 and 23 C.F.R. § 450.318. Until AMATS or USDOT prepare an MIS that analyzes the impacts of and alternatives to the Knik Arm Crossing, AMATS cannot add the Crossing to the LRTP or TIP.To read the complete set of comments, please click here.
To read the Johnston Study, please click here.
To read the Balbus Study Part 1, please click here.
To read the Balbus Study Part 2, please click here.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Knik Arm Bridge Event: Transportation Expert from DC in Anchorage
Tuesday, June 19, 7-9 pmWhat: Civil engineer Michael Replogle with Environmental Defense in DC (www.environmentaldefense.org), a national expert on public-private partnerships and how they can be structured to protect communities and the public interest, will be speaking in Anchorage on The Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Partnership: Smart Transportation for the Anchorage Region? The presentation will help Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough decision-makers and residents understand the implications of the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) engaging in a Public-Private Partnership agreement with private investors. For example, currently there is no process for public input into the contract that may be signed by KABATA and private investors, leaving it up to KABATA and the private investor(s) to determine bridge toll rates, maintenance and off-ramp requirements, etc.
Sponsors: Downtown, Fairview, and Government Hill Community Councils; Alaska Center for the Environment; Alaska Conservation Alliance; Alaska Public Interest Research Group; Alaska Transportation Priorities Project; Anchorage Citizens Coalition; and Friends of Mat-Su.
When and Where: Tuesday, June 19, 7-9 pm, Rasmuson Hall 101 at UAA (see #5 on the campus map, http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/map/); free parking.
Additional Information: Mr. Replogle also will speak to the Business and Economic Development Committee of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 20, from 11:30-1, at the Anchorage School District building (5530 East Northern Lights Blvd.). The meeting is open to all, but only Chamber members may participate in discussions.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
May TV/Radio/News Articles
5/26/07 News Article: "Bridge Authority Kills Plan for Public Relations Firm"To view this ADN Article, please click here.
5/26/07 News Article: "Anchorage's Endangered White Whales"
To view this Far North Science Article, please click here.
5/25/07 Press Release: "KABATA Establishes Public/Private
Partnership Task Force"
To view this KABATA Press Release, please click here.
5/23/07 Compass Piece: "The More Sprawl, the Higher the Costs"
To view this ADN Compass Piece, please click here.
5/16/07 News Article: "The Numbers Don't Lie, and the Time to Act is Now"
To view this ADN Article, please click here.
5/14/07 News Article: "Alaska's Friends and Family Plan"
To view this Roll Call Article, please click here.
5/13/07 News Article: "Senate OKs $1.6 Billion Budget"
To view this ADN Article, please click here.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Knik Arm Crossing Presentation
The presentation was prepared by Stephanie Kesler, past president of the Government Hill Community Council. The presentation provides an brief overview of the Knik Arm Crossing project and then walks the reader through the myriad of issues surrounding the project. To view the presentation, please click here.Monday, April 16, 2007
April TV/Radio/News Articles
4/28/07 Letter to the Editor: "If we don't want to pay taxes, let's prioritize transportation needs"To view this ADN LTE, please click here.
4/13/07 News Article: "Begich Rips Knik Arm Committee for Yes Vote"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
4/12/07 News Article: "Begich Pulls Support of Bridge"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
Friday, March 23, 2007
New Poll Shows Anchorage Opposition to the Knik Arm Bridge Growing
To view the press release from Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.To view the Hays Research Group Poll Methodology and Documentation, please click here.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Anchorage Assembly Resolution Passes
Anchorage Assembly Resolution 2007-46(S) passed on March 13, 2007 incorporating the Knik Arm Bridge project into the city's Long Range Transportation Plan. This resolution contains conditions requiring that "no local funds will be used for construction or maintenance of any element of this project" (though the resolution does not cover repairs needed because of any increased traffic on A and C streets south of 3rd Avenue as a result of the bridge), "no construction work will begin on the Anchorage landside bridge approaches until the complete funding package is secured for the bridge and the Anchorage access connections," and the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority "will fund the design and construction of the Ingra-Gambell connection...to open by 2017."To view the resolution, please click here.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
March TV/Radio/News Articles
3/18/07 News Article: "Assembly Recommends Knik Bridge for Transportation Plan"To view this AJC story, please click here.
3/18/07 News Article: "Poll Timed Before Assembly Vote Shows Support for Bridge"
To view this AJC story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Knik Bridge Clears Assembly Hurdle - VOTE: Despite Testimony From Foes, Project Forwarded to the City's List of Priorities"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Assembly Wants Bridge Plans to Go Forward"
To view this KIMO story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Project Recommended by Assembly"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/14/07 News Article: "Anchorage Assembly Supports Making Knik Arm Bridge a Top Priority"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
3/13/07 News Article: "Bridge Authority Receives Two Proposals"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/13/07 News Article: "Opponents Say Knik Arm Bridge Poll Was Biased"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
3/13/07 News Article: "Bridge Poll Biased, Say Opponents"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
3/12/07 News Article: "Building a Bridge?"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
3/12/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Backers Release Favorable Poll"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/11/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Funding Plan Draws Criticism"
To view this Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.
3/6/07 News Article: "Alaskan Bridge Projects Resist Earmarks Purge"
To view this New York Times story, please click here.
3/5/07 News Article: "Mayor Says Bridge Authority's Math Doesn't Add Up"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
3/5/07 News Article: "Alaska's Megaproject Mentality - Part 1"
To view this Insurgent 49 story, please click here.
Friday, March 02, 2007
The Knik Arm "Bridge to Nowhere": A High-Risk Investment Choice Report
To view this report, please click here.ABSTRACT: The proposed Knik Arm Bridge project poses a serious risk for private investors, with large uncertainties in project costs, funding, permitting, and liability. This report documents those uncertainties.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
ACTION ALERT!
Tell the Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday, March 13 when the February 27 public hearing continues that the Knik Arm Bridge will not help Anchorage!Who: Anchorage Assembly
What: Will vote on including the Knik Arm Bridge in the city's Long Range Transportation Plan
Where: Loussac Library, Assembly Chambers
When: Tuesday, March 13, 6-11 pm (check Channel 10 that night for timing; this issue is far down on the agenda).
For more details on what you can do to help as well as talking points, please click here.
February 27th Anchorage Assembly Meeting Minutes Summary:
More than 20 people testified until the close of the February 27 hearing against the proposed Knik Arm Bridge. Only 4 people testified in favor of the bridge (including two from the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority). To view the related ADN story, please click here.
Key issues raised by those opposing the bridge:
- direct and indirect costs of the project; indirect costs include downtown through midtown mitigation costs, downtown congestion, higher road repair costs from truck traffic, etc.,
- the possibility that there may be no money available for the Ingra-Gambell connection that will be needed when the A/C couplet reaches capacity,
- the possibility of the federal money given to KABATA last year being used for more desirable projects (e.g., the highway-to-highway connection, though it could only fund a small portion of that project),
- the destruction of approximately 14 homes on Government Hill,
- isolating the Anchorage museum between highway roads,
- undermining the Anchorage 2020 comprehensive plan, and
- essentially no benefits to Anchorage beyond construction jobs.
Assembly member Chris Birch may have a conflict of interest due to his employment at ASCG, Inc., a road-building firm, though the Assembly voted down sending that question to the board of ethics.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission Unanimously Votes Down the Knik Arm Bridge on 2/12
The Anchorage Planning & Zoning Commission on February 12, acting under federal law as a citizens' advisory committee for transportation decision-making, voted unanimously to recommend AGAINST amending the city's Long Range Transportation Plan to include the Knik Arm Bridge. The Commissioners agreed that the proposed amendment was so flawed that "nothing we can do here tonight" could make it beneficial to the city of Anchorage.Here are some of the Commissioners' findings (For full minutes of the meeting, click here.)
To view the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes, please
click here
February TV/Radio/News Articles
2/28/07 News Article: "Assembly Will Decide on Knik Arm Bridge in Two Weeks"To view this ABC Alaska News story, please click here.
2/28/07 News Article: "Battle Over a Bridge"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
2/28/07 News Article: "Get Bridge Off the A-list, Critics Say"
To view this ADN story, please click here.
2/26/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Future Now in Assembly's Hands"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
2/23/07 News Article: "Knik Arm Bridge Vote Delayed Over Traffic Concerns"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
2/23/07 News Article: "Billion Dollar Bridge"
To view this KTVA story, please click here.
2/23/07 News Article: "Committee Delays Vote to Add Bridge to City's Transportation Plan"
To view this KTUU story, please click here.
2/21/07 Radio Story: "Community Forum"
To listen to this APRN story, please click here.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Most Recent Cost Estimate, June 2006
The FHWA Major Projects Unit assembled a Project Review Team (Team) of FHWA, KnikArm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA), Alaska DOT (ADOT) and Consultants. This team
met from April 24 through 28, 2006 at the HDR Consulting offices in Anchorage, Alaska. The purpose of this workshop was to perform a cost review and probability analysis for the construction cost estimate for the Knik Arm Crossing project.
Download and read the Cost Estimate Review Study:
PDF format, 96pages, 2.5MB
Monday, January 22, 2007
Investor Team Workshops
Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority workshops for investor teams interested in KABATA’s Request for Qualifications for financing to build the bridge will occur:January 17, 2007, 10am-12 pm, at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center (121 W. 7th Avenue); and
January 23, 2007, 9-11 am, at the Sheraton Manhattan Hotel, Manhattan Room (790 7th Ave. at 51st St., New York, NY).
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Draft EIS Comments
Use the links below to view comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.All comments are in PDF format.
Alaska Center for the Environment, et al.Alaska Railroad CorporationDepartment of The InteriorGovernment Hill Community CouncilKnik Tribal CouncilMarine Mammal CommissionMunicipality of AnchorageMatanuska-Susitna BoroughState of AK Department of Natural ResourcesNative Village of EklutnaNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)United States Army Corps of Engineers
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Knik Arm Bridge Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is available for public comment NOW through October 30, 2006. Here are some Talking Points you can use in your comments: .deistkgpts06.doc.The following are links to the DEIS:
Letter of Transmittal PDF (454 KB)
Cover Page PDF (753 KB)
Signature Page PDF (445 KB)
Table of Contents PDF (166 KB)
Executive Summary PDF
Acronyms & Abbreviations PDF (112 KB)
Chapter 1: Purpose of a Need for the Action PDF (102 KB)
Chapter 2: Alternatives PDF (3.42 MB)
Chapter 3: Affected Environment PDF (1.72 MB)
Chapter 4: Environmental Consequences PDF (1.76 MB)
Chapter 5: DEIS Preparers and Recipients PDF (192 KB)
Chapter 6: DEIS Distribution List PDF (121 KB)
Chapter 7: Comments and Coordination PDF (322 KB)
References PDF (199 KB)
Index PDF (113 KB)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Wilbur Smith Report: Preliminary Traffic and Toll Revenue
KABATA recently commissioned a Preliminary Traffic and Toll Revenue report from the respected Wilbur Smith and Associates firm. The report, which includes a comparison of commute times from various communities with and without the proposed bridge, clearly shows that the bridge will do little to reduce drive times for existing commuters.To view the entire report, please click on the link below:
WSA%20Final%20Report%201%20.pdf">Wilbur Smith Report
Note Figure 5 of the Report which indicates that it takes 48 minutes to drive to Anchorage from Wasilla on existing roads and nearly 60 minutes via the proposed Knik Arm Bridge. The Report states that “Wasilla is beyond the area of influence for the Bridge.” Only from the sparsely-populated locations west of Houston and in currently-undeveloped areas near Point MacKenzie will commuters benefit from the Bridge.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Cost estimates for the Mat-Su Borough if the Knik Arm Bridge is built.
In a letter dated April 19th, 2006 to the Federal Highway
Administration and KABATA on expected Borough costs related to bridge
construction, the Mat-Su Borough lists over $500 million in costs to the
Borough to deal with impacts from the construction of a Knik Arm Bridge. Use the link below to view this letter:
http://www.knikbridgefacts.org/Documents/Matsu_Impacts_Letter_31906.pdf
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Watch this space for frequent updates of news and events related to the Knik Crossing Project.
Here you will find the very latest news, notice of upcoming events, and
links to other current information about the Knik Crossing.
Check back often to stay informed.