By Margaret Bauman
Alaska Journal of Commerce

Opponents of the proposed multi-million dollar bridge to connect Anchorage with the Matanuska-Susitna Valley at Point MacKenzie said Jan. 7 the project wouldn't relieve Glenn Highway congestion.

“The final environmental impact statement for the proposed Knik Arm 'bridge to nowhere' available today, shows that the project will not relieve congestion for travelers from the Mat-Su Borough to Anchorage,” said Lois Epstein, director of the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project.

About $40 million in state transportation money has been spent on the project, which relies on speculative development to make it viable, Epstein said. The Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority plans to spend an additional $70 million in coming months.

“Private, foreign investors may or may not materialize to help fund this highly questionable project,” she said.

Mary Ann Pease, spokeswoman for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority, said the criticism is pure speculation. The criticism comes from groups opposed to every transportation infrastructure projects, she said.

“The EIS is very much an engineering document, and it states that this is the best alternative,” she said. “Whenever you have an alternative corridor, you do eliminate congestion. People will opt to use the bridge.”

The authority expects to receive proposals at mid-year from Bougyues Travaux public of France, teamed with URS Corp. of San Francisco, and Macquarie Bank of Australia, teamed with Kiewit Pacific of Seattle. The two investor groups were pre-approved to submit proposals for the project. The authority will decide by early autumn which company will receive a contract, Pease said.

“This project will not solve any current transportation problems because few drivers will use the bridge, and KABATA's own analysis shows that traffic delays will negligibly decrease,” said Epstein, an engineer who directs the statewide transportation watchdog organization. “The state shouldn't throw good money after bad and proceed with the Knik Arm Bridge, which will exacerbate the Mat-Su Borough's fiscal problems and harm downtown Anchorage businesses and tourist attractions. The Alaska Department of Transportation should focus on 'fix it first' projects rather than expensive, new projects to undeveloped areas.”

She added that the bridge authority and the Federal Highway Administration in the EIS process ignored less expensive alternatives, including commuter rail, car ferries and improving traffic management on the Glenn Highway.

“(Those options) would help commuters to Anchorage and protect Cook Inlet's salmon and beluga whales at the same time,” she said.

Margaret Bauman can be reached at margie.bauman@alaskajournal.com.