The survey of some 500 residents of Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley was conducted by Dittman Research and Communications Corp. of Anchorage, for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority.

KABATA released a statement March 12 saying that the survey found that 64 percent of Southcentral residents want the bridge built, and 76 percent of those surveyed believe the current road system is inadequate to cope with future growth. KABATA quoted a recent University of Alaska study that indicates the population of Anchorage and the Mat-Su will expand by more than 200,000 residents by the year 2030.

“Poll results clearly demonstrate strong public support for this project,” said pollster David Dittman. “Further, more than 71 percent of Southcentral's residents want the bridge included in Southcentral Alaska's long-range transportation planning.”

Apparently the Anchorage Assembly felt the same way as it overwhelmingly recommended March 13 that the bridge project be added to the municipality's long-range transportation plan. It is not the Assembly that dictates the transportation plan, however, but a committee of state and municipal officials.

The poll designed by Dittman asked nine questions, including whether a bridge or expansion of the highway would be the best solution to improved transportation. The poll did not offer the option of any form of mass transit.

“Those are the only two long-term options that have been proposed that would move tens of thousands of people,” Dittman said.

The poll asked, “if the transportation connection between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough is to be improved, which do you feel is the best solution: build a bridge or expand the highway?” Anchorage residents were 53 percent in favor of the bridge, and Mat-Su residents were 50 percent in favor of the bridge, according to the poll.

The poll asked respondents if they agreed that there have been many opportunities for people to express their opinions on a bridge. Seventy-four percent agreed, 21 percent disagreed and 5 percent were unsure.

According to the poll, 73 percent of respondents feel that people who would not personally use the proposed bridge on a regular basis will still benefit because it will spread out growth and reduce overcrowding and congestion in any one area. Twenty-one percent disagreed and 6 percent were unsure.

On the issue of adverse impacts of the bridge on endangered beluga whales and other fish stocks, the poll found that 66 percent of respondents disagreed that the environmental effects of the bridge are too high for these species. Twenty-three percent agreed, and 11 percent were unsure.

The poll also asked if people felt the bridge would hurt Anchorage businesses, cause property values to fall and prompt employers to re-locate to newly opened land on the Mat-Su side of Cook Inlet. Seventy-four percent disagreed, 22 percent agreed and 4 percent were unsure, the poll found.

KABATA spokesman Darryl Jordan said the bridge authority paid $25,000 for the most recent poll, and about $23,000 apiece for two 2005 surveys.