Next Steps

One of the most asked questions I have received since I completed the swim has been, “What was the hardest part?” The answer to this is becoming more apparent with each passing day.

Now Comes the Hardest Part
Following up the issues, getting out the information, keeping attention on the subject and getting people motivated to act is the next big step. This is the most important time. The swim brought a lot of attention to the Juneau Road. But now as the spotlight is starting to fade we have to keep working.

I urge everyone to write letters to the editors of all Alaskan papers. This is vitally important! The more we can reach out to our neighbors in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Ketchikan, Sitka, etc… the better chance we have of getting our government officials to listen.

The New Alternative
Ironically, on the day I finished my swim, DOT came out with a “new” alternative plan. This plan calls for cutting the road short of Skagway by 18 miles (seems there is some National Park land they can’t bulldoze through).

The Juneau Access Road was supposed to connect Juneau to the outside world. But all this plan does is makes for a farther, more dangerous drive to a ferry terminal. In essence, it connects Juneau to nothing while exposing it’s riders to dangerous driving conditions – let’s get real folks... who is going to feel safe driving this thing in the winter?

Now, the new route does cut the over all cost ($246 million vs. $276 million). So the Federal Government may be happy with that. But maintenance for this road (paid for by Alaska) will actually be more. DOT says this alternative will actually cost 31% MORE than the current ferry. This is “preferred?”

And for those who think this is going to make travel easier, think again. Even the DOT (notorious for bending stats in their favor) has come out and said the new alternative will actually be slower than the current system. Chances are when you drive the 90 miles from downtown Juneau to the new ferry terminal you’ll be stuck in a line behind dozens of RV’s. I wonder how patient people will be as they see ferry after ferry fill up before their eyes as they wait yet another 2 hours for their chance to get their vehicle on board?

At least now, when I go from Haines to Juneau for a doctor’s appointment, I can rely on the current ferry to get me there on schedule. The new alternative would be a first come first serve hit and miss game making it impossible for any pre-planning.

Folks, the road plan went from bad to worse. This new alternative is more expensive to maintain, slower to travel and just as dangerous. Let's keep the momentum going. Improved ferries are the future. Let's be sure to get our message out.