“Knik Bridge Added to City Transportation Plan.” To view this 6/27/07 KTUU story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

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 19, 7-9 pm

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.

“Bridge Authority Kills Plan for Public Relations Firm.” To view this 5/26/07 ADN story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“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.[Dead link - the KABATA web site is no longer online.]

“The More Sprawl, the Higher the Costs.” To view this 5/23/07 ADN opinion, please click here. [Dead link - this op-ed is no longer online.]

“The Numbers Don’t Lie, and the Time to Act is Now.” To view this 5/16/07 ADN opinion, please click here.[Dead link - this op-ed is no longer online.]

“Alaska’s Friends and Family Plan.” To view this 5/14/07 Roll Call story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

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. (PDF document)

“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. [Dead link - this letter is no longer online.]

“Begich Rips Knik Arm Committee for Yes Vote.” To view this 4/13/07 ADN story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Begich Pulls Support of Bridge.” To view this 4/12/07 KTUU story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Assembly Recommends Knik Bridge for Transportation Plan.” To view this 3/18/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Poll Timed Before Assembly Vote Shows Support for Bridge.” To view this 3/18/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here. [Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“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.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Assembly Wants Bridge Plans to Go Forward.” To view this 3/14/07 KIMO story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Knik Arm Bridge Project Recommended by Assembly.” To view this 3/14/07 KTUU story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Anchorage Assembly Supports Making Knik Arm Bridge a Top Priority.” To view this 3/14/07 KTVA story, please click here. [Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Bridge Authority Receives Two Proposals.” To view this 3/13/07 KTUU story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Opponents Say Knik Arm Bridge Poll Was Biased.” To view this 3/13/07 KTVA story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Bridge Poll Biased, Say Opponents.” To view this 3/13/07 ADN story, please click here. [Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Building a Bridge?” To view this 3/12/07 KTVA story, please click here. [Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Knik Arm Bridge Backers Release Favorable Poll.” To view this 3/12/07 KTUU story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Knik Arm Bridge Public-Private Funding Plan Draws Criticism.” To view this 3/11/07 Alaska Journal of Commerce story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Alaskan Bridge Projects Resist Earmarks Purge.” To view this 3/6/07 New York Times story, please click here. Or view an archived copy here

“Mayor Says Bridge Authority’s Math Doesn’t Add Up.” To view this 3/5/07 KTUU story, please click here.[Dead link - this story is no longer online.]

“Alaska’s Megaproject Mentality – Part 1.” To view this 3/5/07 Insurgent 49 story, please click here. Or view an archived copy here.

To view the Hays Research Group Poll Methodology and Documentation, please click here.

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.[Dead link - this resolution is no longer online.]

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.