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| State Cuts Gut Interior Road Plans Friday, November 11, 2005 - At first glance, the state's newly released draft of the three-year transportation plan doesn't hold any surprises--the Interior will still lose more than 50 percent of its 2006 road funds, something area leaders were warned about in October by the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. But the draft plan now has community leaders at their work tables to see what else the document holds so they can find solutions to the shortfalls. They had expected about $9.8 million but will only see $4.2 million for 2006 in the proposed plan. "This is going to be a mess," city of Fairbanks Mayor Steve Thompson said. "It's going to be a battle to make it all fit." Thompson is part of the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System, along with borough Mayor Jim Whitaker, North Pole Mayor Jeff Jacobson and state, city and borough officials. The group analyzes and ranks road needs for the Fairbanks North Star Borough and pass recommendations onto the state. The committee made plans based on the anticipated $9.8 million for 2006 but now work on South Cushman Street, Cowles Street and Phillips Field Road, among others, will be at the mercy of the state Legislature. The group wrote a letter to Transportation Commissioner Mike Barton asking that $58.5 million worth of Interior projects be considered for the department's capital budget request, some of which were dropped from the state's plan. "It's very important to note we have a very powerful Interior delegation that will continue to ensure the highway funds are forthcoming," Whitaker said. Part of the reason for the shortfall comes from SAFETEA-LU, the new federal transportation law. DOT officials will have to cut 60 percent out of the budget and spend more money on required programs, Barton wrote in an October letter outlining the shortfalls. He also warned that future federal transportation funds would likely be moved to address air quality issues in rural Alaska. Part of the earmarked dollars are to provide money for bridges to Gravina Island and Knik Arm, at $222 million and $229 million respectively. The projects, often called "bridges to nowhere," have been controversial and the subject of national debate. Congress has yet to appropriate the money and Barton said that about 85 percent would actually make it to the state. The federal earmarks mean that from 2006 to 2008, the Fairbanks area will get less than $6 million annually for road projects. Thompson said drivers are going to have to dodge potholes and maneuver on narrow roads unless some solutions are found. But it's not all bad news. The Interior is party to $16 million in earmarked federal funds, with the borough to get about $10 million for a revolving road loan, the city of Fairbanks to get $5 million for roadwork to be decided by the City Council and North Pole to get $1 million to repave roads. And the state's transportation plan does provide for several major Interior projects: * $7.7 million will go for improvements to the intersection of Steese Highway and Third Avenue in 2008. The project will add more through and turn lanes. It is considered important for a natural gas pipeline. * $6.2 million will go to repaving Chena Hot Springs Road from 22 to 54 Mile in 2007. * $393,000 will be allocated in 2006 to rehabilitate the U.S. Creek Road between Mile 57 Steese Highway and Nome Creek Road. * $550,000 in 2006 will go for upgrades to ramps and intersections at the Badger Road interchange in North Pole. Federal earmarks of nearly $24 million are planned for a nearby project. Both are considered important for a natural gas pipeline. Other road projects needed for a natural gas pipeline were pushed to 2009, the next transportation plan cycle, said Shannon McCarthy, DOT's northern region spokeswoman. The public has until Dec. 31 to make comments on the plan. To view the document on the Internet, go to http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip_stip/stip06_08.shtml. Comments may be sent by e-mail to DOT_STIP@dot.state.ak.us, by toll-free fax to (888) PLAN-FAX (752-6329) or by U.S. mail to STIP Comments, Program Development, 3132 Channel Drive, Suite 200, Juneau, AK, 99801-7898.
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