BRIDGE FROM WHERE TO WHERE

It was a beautiful Alaska summer day for a boat trip inspection of Knik Arm. The trip was arranged by the the folks who are studying the feasibility of a bridge across Knik Arm, the question being a "bridge from where to where." Other legislators on the trip were Senator John Cowdery and Representative Mark Neuman.

Anchorage is running out of buildable land, and the Matnasuka Valley (The Matus) is experiencing rapid growth. Many Matsu people make a hour commute to Anchorage for work. Economic development for both Anchorage and The Matsu would be well served by a bridge from Anchorage across the 2.8 miles of silty waters of Knik Arm to the area of Point McKenzie to The Matsu. The bridge has been a topic of discussion for years, but it is now closer to reality.

Two possible for the entrance to the bridge from the Anchorage side are through Government Hill or through the wooded area between Elmenforf AFB and Fort Richardson. I would prefer the entrance to be across the military land. The government Hill route would bring even more traffic through the already crowded downtown Anchorage. The military route would be to the east of downtown in a less traffic crowded area. The final verdict on an entrance across military land would be from the military brass, based on potential impact on the military mission.

The bridge studies are in the environmental impact study stage. Biologists are counting beluga whales, sea life, and birds to determine what effect, if any, the bridge would have on the creatures.