Gov. Sarah Palin has asked state legislators to approve the first $129 million in what will eventually be a $1.2 billion expenditure to upgrade roads and bridges in preparation for natural gas pipeline construction.
A proposal for the first phase of the project is now before lawmakers in special session, but actual approval may wait for the regular 2009 legislative session next spring.
Under the plan, $129 million would be appropriated in the current budget year, fiscal 2009, and $275 million in state funds would be approved in each of three following years, for state fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012, with $150 million spent in 2013 and 2014.
Because it sometimes takes three or more years to get projects through design, engineering and permitting, the goal is to have the work finished in time for a possible start of gas pipeline construction in 2018, according to information provided to the state Legislature.
“The $129 million planned for this year is a down payment on a large amount of work needed to get our bridges and highways ready for the pipeline,” said Jeff Ottesen, statewide planning director for the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. “We can use these projects to get our workforce ready, too. We have about six years.”
Some of the major projects include:
* $31 million for planning and design of improvements to the Dalton, Elliot, Richardson, Alaska and Haines highways. The project will initiate design work for construction segments needed to complete highway upgrades. It will address significant problems with embankment and surfacing, according to the state DOT.
The improvements also address capacity and safety issues associated with substandard width, alignment and steep grades, according to DOT. The project would also fund efforts to secure and develop material sources that are essential for future project construction and highway maintenance, and conduct core drilling and the survey work needed for subsequent project stages. This advance work is essential to shortening project development schedules and enabling critical highway construction to occur prior to gas pipeline construction.
* $75.4 million for Dalton Highway reconstruction. Five sections of the Dalton Highway are planned for reconstruction: Mile 0 to 9 with $3 million for design and $27 million needed in the future for construction; Mile 18 to 37, $6 million for design and $60 million needed in the future for construction; Mile 49 to 55, $2 million for design and $18 million needed in the future for construction; Dalton Highway material site development, $13 million for design; Mile 9 to 11 reconstruction, $500,000.
Much of the original highway was constructed with minimal embankment over poor soils and permafrost. In many areas the embankment can no longer withstand anticipated loads of heavy-walled, large-diameter pipe and other construction materials needed for the gas line construction.
The project includes immediate construction work in three areas with design already underway.
* Alaska and Richardson highways: Construction of passing lanes at roughly 20 locations to accommodate increased truck traffic. Some $4 million is needed for design and $60 million will be needed in the future for construction.
* Alaska Highway Mile 1235 to 1236 rehabilitation. About $4.5 million is needed for design and $42 million in future for construction. The project will rehabilitate the embankment and pavement, improve drainage and widen if necessary.
Reconstruction is planned for Mile 0 to 28 on the Elliot Highway, which begins at Fox on the Steese Highway north of Fairbanks and extends to the junction with the Dalton Highway and then extends on to Minto and Manley Hot Springs. About $6 million is planned for design and $43 million will be needed in the future for construction.
* Alaska Highway Tok River bridge: $1.5 million for design and $10 million needed in the future for construction. The project will replace the existing narrow truss bridge with one that can accommodate oversize loads needed for pipeline construction.
* Alaska and Richardson highways truss bridge upgrades: $2 million for design. Amounts needed for construction had not yet been determined. The projects will upgrade the Johnson, Gerstle, and Tanana river bridges to accommodate oversize and heavy loads for pipeline construction.
* Alaska and Richardson highways truck rest area upgrades: $3 million for design and $40 million needed in the future for construction. This will construction new and upgrade existing rest areas to accommodate increased traffic.
* Alaska and Richardson highways maintenance facility improvements: $1.5 million for design and $12 million needed in the future for construction. This will develop new shop facilities and equipment warm storage areas at Delta Junction and Northway to accommodate snowplows and other road maintenance equipment.
* Haines Highway, Mile 21 to 25. $6.5 million for design and $23.5 million needed for construction. The project will bring the highway up to modern standards and replace the Chilkat River bridge.
Tim Bradner can be reached at tim.bradner@alaskajournal.com">tim.bradner@alaskajournal.com.
