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Alaska Railroad officials, in a public meeting Sept. 30 in Eagle River, discussed plans to realign 30 curves on their railline and answered questions about the timeframe and scope of a project that has been in the works for almost four years.
The project made a crucial step forward last month when the environmental assessment was released for public review. Those involved in the project say, barring any unforseen holdups, the work is on track to begin next summer and expected to be finished in 2005 or 2006, said Mark Peterburs, project manager for the Alaska Railroad.
The Eagle River to Knik River realignment is part of a bigger project that involves straightening 70 curves from Anchorage to Wasilla. Construction on those has already begun. Peterburs said that most sections have come in near the projected budget.
The line between Eagle River and Knik River is expected to cost about $12.5 million and will be funded 80 percent by the Federal Transit Administration and 20 percent by the Alaska Railroad. The entire project is expected to cost about $78 million.
Peterburs said that the project would be further along had funding sources not changed. The project was originally slated for completion in 2003.
"When we got the funding from the FTA, regulations were changed and more steps had to be taken for the project to get under way," said Peterburs.
The environmental assessment was one of the requirements when using FTA money.
The project will move forward as planned if, after the Oct. 21 deadline for public comment, the FTA approves the environmental assessment. If the administration does have concerns, a more in-depth environmental impact statement will need to be completed, which could set the project back months, even years, said Barabara Hotchkin, permits and National Environmental Policy Act specialist for the Alaska Railroad.
Hotchkin said that the public comments now being accepted will help to determine the results of the FTA's investigation.
Hotchkin said that, though the the Alaska Railroad does not expect any major problems, the public is always unpredictable. The project will directly affect only two private land owners, but everyone in the area will be indirectly affected, she said. The U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, the Municipality of Anchorage, Chugach Alaska Inc. and Eklutna Inc. have already entered into land exchange agreements with the railroad.
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