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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.
Website administrator: Lois Epstein lois@aktransportation.org
News and Events
Friday, March 26, 2010
"AMATS votes to keep Knik Arm bridge in city's short-term plans." To view this 3/26/10 KTUU story, please click here.
"Tolls will not cover Knik bridge." To view this 3/24/10 ADN Letter to the Editor, please click here.
"Anchorage Assembly Votes to Delay Knik Bridge." To listen to this 3/17/10 APRN story, please click here.
"Assembly votes again to delay Knik Arm Bridge." To view this 3/17/10 ADN story, please click here.
"Assembly takes testimony on Knik Arm Bridge." To view this 3/16/10 KTUU video and story, please click here.
To view the 3/25/10 Alaska Transportation Priorities Project media release. please click here.
Using the latest information on interest rates, the linked factsheet uses Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) data to show that the bridge's deficit exceeds Anchorage's transportation expenditures for the first 9 years of bridge operation, and then jumps even higher during year 10 when Phase 2 construction begins. KABATA has not produced any information that refutes this analysis.
To read the new report, please click here.
Click here for the December 7, 2009 P & Z resolution.
Click here for the Municipality of Anchorage's November 24, 2009 memo to P & Z.
Knik Arm Bridge Financials document developed using KABATA and U.S. Department of Transportation numbers: Financials.pdf
Knik Arm Bridge Facts and Figures (November 2009) document: Facts and Figures.pdf
Why Postpone the Knik Arm Bridge Until 2018 or Later document: Postponement.pdf
"Knik Bridge lawsuit settled." To view this 8/19/09 ADN story, please click here.
To view the 8/18/09 Alaska Transportation Priorities Project media release. please click here.
"Knik Arm Project Delayed." To view this 6/25/09 KTVA story, please click here.
"AMATS board votes to delay Knik Arm Bridge project." To view this 6/25/09 KTUU story, please click here.
"Knik Arm bridge compromise OK'd by Assembly; Proposal would keep project alive while debate continues." To view this 6/25/09 ADN story, please click here.
"Public Weighs in on Knik Arm Crossing." To view this 6/24/09 KTVA video and story, please click here.
"Assembly votes to delay Knik Arm Bridge 10 years." To view this 6/24/09 KTUU story, please click here.
"Our view: No bridge; City-state panel should shelve ill-conceived Knik crossing." To view this 6/24/09 ADN editorial, please click here.
"Group seeks decade delay in Knik Arm bridge project." To view this 6/23/09 ADN story, please click here.
To view the Technical Advisory Committee memo to the Policy Committee, please click here. (PDF format, 97K)
Please click here for the full resolution. (PDF format, 272k)
The Anchorage Assembly will hear public testimony on the bridge and its potential removal from Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan on Tuesday, June 16 at the Assembly meeting that evening.
"The results of the review indicate that there is a 90% likelihood that the range of all costs (e.g. construction, contingencies, support, environmental mitigations, engineering, utilities, right-of-way, tolling, etc.) for the entire Project will be between approximately $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion. For Phase 1 [i.e., connecting to A/C Streets and a 2 lane bridge], the 90% likelihood is between approximately $670 million and $740 million. For Phase 2 [i.e., connecting to Ingra-Gambell and a 4 lane bridge], the 90% likelihood is between approximately $750 million and $920 million. For Phase 2, the review team had to develop assumptions for construction work that could be scheduled between 10 and 20 years out. For Phase 2, especially, the impact of cost escalation is the largest factor in the variability of costs." (p. 3).
Please click here for the full report. (PDF format, 1.8M)
"Knik Arm crossing loses support of city transportation committee." To view this 4/23/09 KTUU story, please click here.
To view the press release issued by the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.
To view a 2/10/09 ADN story on this topic, please click here.
Please click here to get the survey report from the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority.
Verbatim Comment from one of those surveyed:
Please tell the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll group and Dave Dittman that this poll was the worst I've experienced in my 60 year history in Alaska. (p. 221)
AMATS Q and A's Attachment B 080708.pdf
here.
"Knik Arm: Fork in Road, or Stick Fork In It?" To view this 6/9/08 ADN story, 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 story, please click here.
To view KABATA's response to the Alaska DOT letter, please click here.
To view KABATA's answers to the Alaska DOT letter based on the February 2008 draft public-private partnership Request for Proposal, please click here.
To view supplementary letter information such as design and cost estimates, 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 Railroad Corporation
Defenders of Wildlife
Environmental Protection Agency
Gardner
Government Hill Community Council
Hulbert
Marine Mammal Commission
Municipality of Anchorage
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Norgaard
State Historic Protection Officer
Trustees for Alaska, et al.
Walton
To listen to the hearing, please click here, then click on March 25, 2008 and listen to the Senate Transportation Committee hearing.
To view comments submitted by the Government Hill Community Council, please use the links below:
Document 1.
Document 2.
Document 3.
"State Population Statistics Give Mat-Su Growth a New Spin." To view this 2/18/08 ADN story, please click here.
To view the press release issued by the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.
To view the US PIRG Report entitled Road Privatization: Explaining the Trend, Assessing the Facts, and Protecting the Public, please click here.
"Money on hold for some, but not all, DOT projects." To view this 7/25/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Keeping Alaska Roads in Shape." To view this 7/19/07 KTUU story, 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.
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.
"Anchorage's Endangered White Whales." To view this 5/26/07 Far North Science story, please click here.
"KABATA Establishes Public/Private Partnership Task Force." To view this 5/25/07 KABATA press release, please click here.
"The More Sprawl, the Higher the Costs." To view this 5/23/07 ADN opinion, please click here.
"The Numbers Don't Lie, and the Time to Act is Now." To view this 5/16/07 ADN opinion, please click here.
"Alaska's Friends and Family Plan." To view this 5/14/07 Roll Call story, please click here.
"Begich Rips Knik Arm Committee for Yes Vote." To view this 4/13/07 ADN story, please click here.
"Begich Pulls Support of Bridge." To view this 4/12/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Poll Timed Before Assembly Vote Shows Support for Bridge." To view this 3/18/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.
"Knik Bridge Clears Assembly Hurdle - VOTE: Despite Testimony From Foes, Project Forwarded to the City's List of Priorities." To view this 3/14/07 ADN story, please click here.
"Assembly Wants Bridge Plans to Go Forward." To view this 3/14/07 KIMO story, please click here.
"Knik Arm Bridge Project Recommended by Assembly." To view this 3/14/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Anchorage Assembly Supports Making Knik Arm Bridge a Top Priority." To view this 3/14/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Bridge Authority Receives Two Proposals." To view this 3/13/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Opponents Say Knik Arm Bridge Poll Was Biased." To view this 3/13/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Bridge Poll Biased, Say Opponents." To view this 3/13/07 ADN story, please click here.
"Building a Bridge?" To view this 3/12/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Knik Arm Bridge Backers Release Favorable Poll." To view this 3/12/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Funding Plan Draws Criticism." To view this 3/11/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.
"Alaskan Bridge Projects Resist Earmarks Purge." To view this 3/6/07 New York Times story, please click here.
"Mayor Says Bridge Authority's Math Doesn't Add Up." To view this 3/5/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Alaska's Megaproject Mentality - Part 1." To view this 3/5/07 Insurgent 49 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 report, please click here.
Friday, March 26, 2010
March 2010 Media
"Knik Bridge gets a shot in the arm." To view this 3/26/10 KTVA story, please click here."AMATS votes to keep Knik Arm bridge in city's short-term plans." To view this 3/26/10 KTUU story, please click here.
"Tolls will not cover Knik bridge." To view this 3/24/10 ADN Letter to the Editor, please click here.
"Anchorage Assembly Votes to Delay Knik Bridge." To listen to this 3/17/10 APRN story, please click here.
"Assembly votes again to delay Knik Arm Bridge." To view this 3/17/10 ADN story, please click here.
"Assembly takes testimony on Knik Arm Bridge." To view this 3/16/10 KTUU video and story, please click here.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Despite Advisory Committee Recommendations, AMATS Keeps Bridge in Short-Term Plan
The decision-making body for transportation projects, the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Policy Committee, today voted 3-2 to keep the Knik Arm Bridge project in the short-term portion of the Anchorage Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The three advisory committees to the Policy Committee – the Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission, the AMATS Technical Advisory Committee, and the Anchorage Assembly – each voted in 2009 and 2010 to remove the bridge from the list of short-term projects. The five-member Policy Committee is composed of representatives from the Alaska Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation, Mayor Sullivan, and two representatives from the Anchor-age Assembly. The Assembly representatives (Flynn and Selkregg) alone voted to make the bridge a long-term project, i.e., post-2018 construction, because key financial and technical questions were not answered by the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority during its testimony before the advisory committees.To view the 3/25/10 Alaska Transportation Priorities Project media release. please click here.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Anchorage Assembly Votes to Move the Knik Arm Bridge to the Long-Term
Following a public meeting on March 16, the Anchorage Assembly passed by a vote of 6-5 resolution 2010-40 which recommends to the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Policy Committee that the Knik Arm Bridge be moved from the list of short-term projects to the list of long-term projects in the Anchorage Bowl 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan.Monday, March 8, 2010
Latest Information on Knik Arm Bridge Financials
See the Anchorage Daily News op-ed from March 16, 2010 by financial analyst Jamie Kenworthy of Anchorage.Using the latest information on interest rates, the linked factsheet uses Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) data to show that the bridge's deficit exceeds Anchorage's transportation expenditures for the first 9 years of bridge operation, and then jumps even higher during year 10 when Phase 2 construction begins. KABATA has not produced any information that refutes this analysis.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Parnell Administration Changes Position on Bridge; AMATS Consensus Destroyed
In a surprising move, the Parnell Administration on February 16, 2010 issued a brief letter stating a new position on the proposed Knik Arm Bridge. The Administration's new position is contrary to that taken by its regional transportation staff to date. The new position - that the Knik Arm Bridge remain as a short-term project in the Anchorage Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - conflicts with the regional transportation staff's position as late as February 11, 2010, i.e., that the bridge be moved to the long-term in the LRTP. Regional transportation staff arrived at that position after an extensive, fact-based public hearing process. The Administration's February 16th letter destroys a carefully-crafted consensus approved unanimously by the Anchorage Assembly and the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Technical and Policy Committees in 2009.Thursday, February 18, 2010
AMATS Technical Advisory Committee Recommends Moving Bridge Construction to 2018 or Later
By a vote of 10-1 on February 11, 2010 with the Alaska Railroad Corporation the only dissenter, the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Technical Advisory Committee recommended that the Knik Arm Bridge become a long-term project in Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan. This vote means that construction would not begin until 2018 or later. The AMATS Technical Advisory Committee recommendation now goes to the Anchorage Assembly for a vote in March. Following the Assembly's action, the AMATS Policy Committee will consider whether or not to adopt the recommendation.Friday, January 15, 2010
New ISER Population Projections
The University of Alaska Anchorage Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) issued new state and Anchorage-region population projections in its December 2009 report entitled Economic and Demographic Projections for Alaska and Greater Anchorage 2010-2035 by Scott Goldsmith. Key changes from the ISER 2005 population projections developed for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority are reductions in population projections for the state (-43%), for Anchorage and the Mat-Su together (-38.5%) and for the Mat-Su (-34.755%). See p. 69 for summary tables.To read the new report, please click here.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission Votes on 12/7/09 to Remove the Knik Arm Bridge from Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan
With a 7-1 vote and 1 recusal, on December 7, 2009 the Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) reaffirmed the position it took earlier this year to remove the proposed bridge from Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). P & Z decided not to approve the Municipality of Anchorage's request to move the bridge from the short-term to the long-term phase of the LRTP. Instead, P & Z recommended removing the project from the LRTP because it does not meet P & Z's mandate to promote implementation of Anchorage 2020, the community's comprehensive plan. P & Z was concerned that if this project remained in the LRTP, Anchorage would have inadequate leverage to ensure that its needs - including the Phase 2 connection to Ingra-Gambell - would be met. P & Z also added to and modified its earlier Findings in support of this recommendation.Click here for the December 7, 2009 P & Z resolution.
Click here for the Municipality of Anchorage's November 24, 2009 memo to P & Z.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
State Chamber of Commerce Conditionally Supports Knik Arm Bridge
The Alaska State Chamber supports the construction of the Knik Arm Crossing under a public/private partnership with no direct cost to the State of Alaska. (2010 Position)
Anchorage Assembly and the AMATS Policy Committee Will Vote Again on Postponing Bridge Construction Until 2018 or Later
The Anchorage Assembly and the AMATS Policy Committee need to reaffirm their decisions from earlier this year to postpone Knik Arm Bridge construction until 2018 or later in Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan. The reason they must redo these decisions is that Wasilla, Houston, and the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) sued the Policy Committee over the public involvement process. Although there was no finding of wrongdoing, the lawsuit settlement required the public involvement process to be redone a second time. As shown in the documents below, KABATA has no plan to address bridge costs without a state or local revenue guarantee of over $400 million dollars through year 19 of bridge operation.Knik Arm Bridge Financials document developed using KABATA and U.S. Department of Transportation numbers: Financials.pdf
Knik Arm Bridge Facts and Figures (November 2009) document: Facts and Figures.pdf
Why Postpone the Knik Arm Bridge Until 2018 or Later document: Postponement.pdf
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
August 2009 Media
"Our view: Money down the drain." To view this 8/22/09 ADN editorial, please click here."Knik Bridge lawsuit settled." To view this 8/19/09 ADN story, please click here.
To view the 8/18/09 Alaska Transportation Priorities Project media release. please click here.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June 2009 Media
"State-city panel approves delaying Knik Arm bridge." To view this 6/26/09 ADN story, please click here."Knik Arm Project Delayed." To view this 6/25/09 KTVA story, please click here.
"AMATS board votes to delay Knik Arm Bridge project." To view this 6/25/09 KTUU story, please click here.
"Knik Arm bridge compromise OK'd by Assembly; Proposal would keep project alive while debate continues." To view this 6/25/09 ADN story, please click here.
"Public Weighs in on Knik Arm Crossing." To view this 6/24/09 KTVA video and story, please click here.
"Assembly votes to delay Knik Arm Bridge 10 years." To view this 6/24/09 KTUU story, please click here.
"Our view: No bridge; City-state panel should shelve ill-conceived Knik crossing." To view this 6/24/09 ADN editorial, please click here.
"Group seeks decade delay in Knik Arm bridge project." To view this 6/23/09 ADN story, please click here.
Technical Advisory Committee Unanimously Recommends Making the Knik Arm Bridge a Long-Term Project (Year 2018 or Later)
The Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Technical Advisory Committee, composed of state, municipal, and public members, unanimously recommended to the AMATS Policy Committee on June 18 to move the Knik Arm Bridge from the list of short-term projects (2007-2017) to the list of long-term projects (2018-2027) in Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan.To view the Technical Advisory Committee memo to the Policy Committee, please click here. (PDF format, 97K)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution on removing the Knik Arm Bridge from the Anchorage Long Range Transportation Plan
The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission, also known as the AMATS Citizen Advisory Committee, unanimously passed a resolution on June 8, 2009 recommending deleting the Knik Arm Crossing from the Anchorage Long Range Transportation PlanPlease click here for the full resolution. (PDF format, 272k)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Key Knik Arm Bridge Issues that will Significantly Impact Anchorage - Public Testimony to be taken at the June 16 Anchorage Assembly Meeting
For five important reasons why Anchorage and needs to remove the Knik Arm Bridge from its Long Range Transportation Plan, please click here. (PDF format, 216k)The Anchorage Assembly will hear public testimony on the bridge and its potential removal from Anchorage's Long Range Transportation Plan on Tuesday, June 16 at the Assembly meeting that evening.
New Report: Knik Arm Crossing Cost Estimate Review (Final), Federal Highway Administration, May 2009
From the Executive Summary:"The results of the review indicate that there is a 90% likelihood that the range of all costs (e.g. construction, contingencies, support, environmental mitigations, engineering, utilities, right-of-way, tolling, etc.) for the entire Project will be between approximately $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion. For Phase 1 [i.e., connecting to A/C Streets and a 2 lane bridge], the 90% likelihood is between approximately $670 million and $740 million. For Phase 2 [i.e., connecting to Ingra-Gambell and a 4 lane bridge], the 90% likelihood is between approximately $750 million and $920 million. For Phase 2, the review team had to develop assumptions for construction work that could be scheduled between 10 and 20 years out. For Phase 2, especially, the impact of cost escalation is the largest factor in the variability of costs." (p. 3).
Please click here for the full report. (PDF format, 1.8M)
Friday, April 24, 2009
Media Coverage of AMATS Policy Committee Decision
"Proposed Knik Arm bridge dealt setback in committee vote." To view this 4/24/09 ADN story, please click here."Knik Arm crossing loses support of city transportation committee." To view this 4/23/09 KTUU story, please click here.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Memo from the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project to the AMATS Policy Committee regarding Knik Arm Bridge policy decisions
Please click here to view the April 22, 2009 memo.Tuesday, February 10, 2009
State releases Knik Arm Crossing Construction Cost Estimate
You can view the state's summary here (PDF Document, 1.2MB).To view the press release issued by the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.
To view a 2/10/09 ADN story on this topic, please click here.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Survey of Alaska Statewide Public Attitudes and Perceptions (January 2009)
Please click here to see an analysis of the survey. (MS Word Doc, 28k )Please click here to get the survey report from the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority.
Verbatim Comment from one of those surveyed:
Please tell the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll group and Dave Dittman that this poll was the worst I've experienced in my 60 year history in Alaska. (p. 221)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Answers Questions Regarding the Bridge
This PDF document contains KABATA's responses to questions initially posed at the AMATS Policy Committee meeting on June 12, 2008.AMATS Q and A's Attachment B 080708.pdf
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 2008 Media
"Knik Arm Bridge Hits Fork in the Road." To view this 6/9/08 ADN story, please clickhere.
"Knik Arm: Fork in Road, or Stick Fork In It?" To view this 6/9/08 ADN story, 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 story, please click here.
Alaska Department of Transportation's Letter to the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
To view the April 22, 2008 Alaska DOT letter, please click here.To view KABATA's response to the Alaska DOT letter, please click here.
To view KABATA's answers to the Alaska DOT letter based on the February 2008 draft public-private partnership Request for Proposal, please click here.
To view supplementary letter information such as design and cost estimates, please click here.
Rep. Gara and Sen. Ellis's Letters to the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority 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.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Knik Arm Bridge Final Environmental Impact Statement Comments
To view these comments, please follow the links below:Alaska Railroad Corporation
Defenders of Wildlife
Environmental Protection Agency
Gardner
Government Hill Community Council
Hulbert
Marine Mammal Commission
Municipality of Anchorage
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Norgaard
State Historic Protection Officer
Trustees for Alaska, et al.
Walton
Knik Arm Bridge Bill Hearing in Senate Transportation Committee, March 25, 2008
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 March 25, 2008 and listen to the Senate Transportation Committee hearing.
Monday, March 3, 2008
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, 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.
February 2008 Media
"Legislators want say in Knik bridge deal." To view this 2/14/08 ADN story, please click here."State Population Statistics Give Mat-Su Growth a New Spin." To view this 2/18/08 ADN story, please click here.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Knik Arm Bridge Final Environmental Impact Statement Issued
The Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement. To view the document, please click here.To view the press release issued by the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, please click here.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
September 2007 Media
"North to the Future: The men who gave us the "Bridge to Nowhere" may be headed there themselves." To view this 9/24/07 Wall Street Journal article, please click here.
Alaska Transportation Priorities Project and Alaska Public Interest Research Group Issue Press Release on Private Toll Roads
To view the 10/2/07 press release, please click here.To view the US PIRG Report entitled Road Privatization: Explaining the Trend, Assessing the Facts, and Protecting the Public, please click here.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Letter from Mayor Begich to Governor Palin on the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
To read the August 8, 2007 letter from Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin regarding Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority openness, accountability, and performance standards, please click here.Monday, July 9, 2007
July 2007 Media
"DOT May Change Its Priorities for Knik Bridge." To view this 7/29/07 Frontiersman story, please click here."Money on hold for some, but not all, DOT projects." To view this 7/25/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Keeping Alaska Roads in Shape." To view this 7/19/07 KTUU story, please click here.
Friday, June 29, 2007
June 2007 Media
"Knik Bridge Added to City Transportation Plan." To view this 6/27/07 KTUU story, please click here.Monday, June 18, 2007
Comments Opposing Including the Knik Arm Bridge in the AnchorageTransportation Improvement Program
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 submitted comments opposing the proposed addition of the Knik Arm Crossing to the long range transportation plan (LRTP) and the transportation improvement program (TIP) for Anchorage...neither AMATS nor USDOT has completed a major investment study (MIS) in accordance with 23 U.S.C. Sect. 134 and 23 C.F.R. Sect. 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 the 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.
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 2007 Media
"Bridge Authority Kills Plan for Public Relations Firm." To view this 5/26/07 ADN story, please click here."Anchorage's Endangered White Whales." To view this 5/26/07 Far North Science story, please click here.
"KABATA Establishes Public/Private Partnership Task Force." To view this 5/25/07 KABATA press release, please click here.
"The More Sprawl, the Higher the Costs." To view this 5/23/07 ADN opinion, please click here.
"The Numbers Don't Lie, and the Time to Act is Now." To view this 5/16/07 ADN opinion, please click here.
"Alaska's Friends and Family Plan." To view this 5/14/07 Roll Call story, 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 a 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 2007 Media
"If we don't want to pay taxes, let's prioritize transportation needs." To view this 4/28/07 ADN Letter to the Editor, please click here."Begich Rips Knik Arm Committee for Yes Vote." To view this 4/13/07 ADN story, please click here.
"Begich Pulls Support of Bridge." To view this 4/12/07 KTUU story, please click here.
Monday, March 26, 2007
March 2007 media
"Assembly Recommends Knik Bridge for Transportation Plan." To view this 3/18/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here."Poll Timed Before Assembly Vote Shows Support for Bridge." To view this 3/18/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.
"Knik Bridge Clears Assembly Hurdle - VOTE: Despite Testimony From Foes, Project Forwarded to the City's List of Priorities." To view this 3/14/07 ADN story, please click here.
"Assembly Wants Bridge Plans to Go Forward." To view this 3/14/07 KIMO story, please click here.
"Knik Arm Bridge Project Recommended by Assembly." To view this 3/14/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Anchorage Assembly Supports Making Knik Arm Bridge a Top Priority." To view this 3/14/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Bridge Authority Receives Two Proposals." To view this 3/13/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Opponents Say Knik Arm Bridge Poll Was Biased." To view this 3/13/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Bridge Poll Biased, Say Opponents." To view this 3/13/07 ADN story, please click here.
"Building a Bridge?" To view this 3/12/07 KTVA story, please click here.
"Knik Arm Bridge Backers Release Favorable Poll." To view this 3/12/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Funding Plan Draws Criticism." To view this 3/11/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.
"Alaskan Bridge Projects Resist Earmarks Purge." To view this 3/6/07 New York Times story, please click here.
"Mayor Says Bridge Authority's Math Doesn't Add Up." To view this 3/5/07 KTUU story, please click here.
"Alaska's Megaproject Mentality - Part 1." To view this 3/5/07 Insurgent 49 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.
Friday, March 2, 2007
The Knik Arm "Bridge to Nowhere": A High-Risk Investment Choice Report
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.To view this report, please click here.