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HJR 42: Transportation Fund
On February 9, the House Transportation Committee passed House Joint Resolution 42 proposing an amendment to the Alaska State Constitution to create a dedicated transportation infrastructure fund. If approved by Alaskan voters, the fund would set up a $1 billion endowment generating an annual percentage of market value for transportation improvements. Additionally, a portion of revenues generated from motor fuel taxes and vehicle registrations would be deposited into the fund on an annual basis. Since the principal of the fund would not be used, the corpus of the account would grow and generate increased returns each year.
Federal funding reauthorization has expired and is being extended on a month to month basis until new federal legislation is approved. All indications point to less revenues for Alaska. Proposed federal legislation favors larger metropolitan areas and transit development.
Alaska needs to proactively address transportation infrastructure needs. HB 329 establishes the framework for Alaska’s transportation fund, recommending annual appropriations to be applied to 60% road and surface projects, 13% aviation, 12% AMHS, 8% harbors and marine facilities, 5% transit and 2% trails.
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Juneau Access Brief Filed by Department of Law
On October 19, 2009, the Department of Law filed the State of Alaska Appellant’s Brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the Lynn Canal Highway. This is an appeal of District Court Judge John Sedwick’s decision invalidating the project’s environmental impact statement (EIS). Judge Sedwick ruled that the EIS was incomplete since current ferry infrastructure and services had not adequately been considered as a means to increase capacity.
The appellees have 30 days to file their response brief, which sets the due date on November 18, and the reply brief for the Department of Law due on December 2. Should the appellees file a motion for an extension they can be given an additional 14 – 30 days to file their response brief. If you get a chance to read the attached brief I am sure you will agree the Department of Law and Assistant Attorney General Sean Lynch did a great job outlining the States position.
The State of Alaska continues to voice their support through the inclusion of Juneau Access in the Statewide Transportation Plan. The State recognizes the demands on the state ferry system and the importance of access to the capital for economic development, employment, and medical services.
Appellants Brief Final Filed.pdf (671.77 kb)
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House Transportation Committee Trip
On September 29 a group of young Yupik students greeted House Transportation committee members at the Yuut Yaqungviat flight school in Bethel. The flight school trains young people for careers in commercial aviation.
Bethel is Alaska’s 3rd busiest state run airport. With more cargo landings than Fairbanks, 56 villages in the region are served through the Bethel hub. As we listened to stories of the school’s success, the roar of continuous flight activity could be heard from the nearby runways. According to Director Will Johnson, "The advantages of having pilots native to this area are tremendous. Familiarity with terrain, weather, and culture are some of the things the local native pilots already have."
Prior to the school’s formation, pilot turn-over was high, and jobs opportunities scarce. A partnership between the Association of Village Council presidents and private industry is now providing opportunity to dozens of young people in the region. Local air carriers guarantee employment to licensed graduates with starting salaries of $50,000. Typically it takes 18-months to complete the program.
A recent graduate of the school piloted the Haagland aircraft that we chartered to the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk and Nunapitchuk. Our objective was to see firsthand the pressing needs of smaller communities that face challenges of isolation and environment. Transporting gravel, for instance, and then building on shifting tundra pose enormous engineering hurdles.
In the years ahead, federal transportation funding is expected to change. A major rewrite now underway is not favoring rural states like Alaska where transportation development is still in its’ infancy. For this reason, the Alaska Legislature is investigating supplemental means of financing our enormous backlog of transportation projects, including revenue and general obligation bonding.
As we departed, the view from the air was beautiful. In the fall, the tundra is red and orange. The Kuskokwim River weaves its’ way through a landscape of thousands of lakes and ponds.
A common thread that runs through many of the legislative committees that I serve on is the need to train Alaskans for the jobs that will keep Alaska strong. The Yuut Yaquangviat School demonstrates that the investment of education is life-changing. Individuals are set on a positive course, and in the process, whole communities are uplifted through the experience of seeing their young people become leaders and role models. In the villages, pilots are the heroes. Seeing sons and daughters in these roles is very inspiring.
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Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
Please visit the DOT website to add your comments before October 2nd.
Juneau Projects in draft STIP:
• Brotherhood Bridge and Industrial Boulevard Improvements, with separated bike path. Project will replace the existing Glacier Highway bridge across the Mendenhall River, and bike/pedestrian path between existing path and University of Alaska Southeast. Total cost over several years of $20.4 million.
• Egan Drive resurfacing, Main Street to 10th Street in 2011. Cost for the single year project: $550,000.
• Glacier Highway/Back Loop Road intersection safety improvements. Cost is $4.5 million over the next two years.
• Fritz Cove to Auke Bay School, roadway and pedestrian improvements, including replacement of three culverts allowing fish access to Auke Lake. Cost over four years is $8.5 million, with most of the work done in 2013.
• Juneau Access Project. Plan calls for delaying design work until 2012 and construction in 2013, presumably after conclusion of legal challenges. Cost of the 2013 work at $45.6 million.
• Transit bus acquisition and transit center. Proposed spending over the next four years of $17.3 million.
• Enhanced local transit service, five additional buses. Cost in 2013 is $1.6 million.
• Riverside Drive rehabilitation and widening. Improved right turn lane off Egan Drive, then two lanes to Mendenhall Mall Road. Repave from Egan Drive to James Boulevard. Cost is $2.9 million, with construction in 2013.
• Auke Lake Trail and Wayside. Construct trail with UAS access, 1.5 miles long with picnic shelter, restrooms, trailhead parking and interpretive amenities. Cost is $1.6 million with construction in 2012.
• Industrial Boulevard widening and sidewalks. Wider pavement and additional west side curb, gutter and sidewalks from Glacier Highway to Maier Drive, with foot and horse path on east side. Cost is $330,000.
• Juneau Bridges, Jordan Creek at Trout Street and Basin Road Trestle. Remove and replace Trout Street Bridge, replace decking and guardrails on trestle, inspect, repair or replace bent foundations. Cost in 2010 is $2.4 million.
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The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will go into effect on June 1, 2009. See www.travel.state.gov for more information and the most current information on obtaining a passport.
AIR TRAVEL:
All U.S. citizens traveling by air are required to present a passport book to enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL:
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.
CURRENTLY: All U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean by land or sea.
Acceptable documents include: U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and citizenship must present both an identification and citizenship document; for example, a driver’s license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
LATER: On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.
Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.
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Senator Lisa Murkowski Cosponsors S930: United States Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2009
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced the introduction of the U.S. Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2009. This bill would dramatically increase federal support for the country’s ferry systems.
The U.S. Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2009 would make available $200 million a year in funding for ferry systems across the country starting in FY2010, and would run through FY2015. Divided into two parts, half of the money ($100 million a year) would be distributed according to a formula that takes into account factors such as how many passengers use the ferry system each year, how many vehicles are carried, and how many total miles the routes contain. At this time Senator Murkowski’s office believes AMHS will receive approximately $15 million, which is $5 million more than they receive now through the formula. The other half ($100 million a year) would be distributed at the discretion of the Secretary of Transportation using a competitive process.
In addition to the funding changes, the bill also includes the following additional provisions to strengthen ferry systems across the country:
· Makes ferry systems eligible to compete for funding under the Clean Fuels Grant Program.
· Establishes a Ferry Joint Program Office within U.S. DOT to coordinate federal programs (DOT, DHS, etc.) affecting ferry and ferry facility construction, maintenance, operations and security, and to promote ferry transportation as a component of the U.S. transportation system.
· Requires U.S. DOT to ensure the National Ferry Database is consistent with the database maintained by the Federal Transit Administration.
Ferry transportation is very important to Southeast Alaska. The Alaska Marine Highway System serves 30 communities along routes that total more than 3,000 miles. This funding comes at a crucial time as AMHS works to replace our aging ferry fleet.
Senate Bill 930 was introduced on April 29, 2009, and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. A companion bill HR2172, co-sponsored by Rep. Don Young, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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Update on Juneau Access
Recently the State requested reconsideration of the Sedwick decision at the District Court level. The Sedwick decision threw out the previous EIS on the Lynn Canal highway project citing incomplete analysis of existing ferry infrastructure as a possible preferred alternative for improved access. The lower court has denied the State’s request.
Goldbelt Inc. is promoting completion of the first 3 mile section extending the old Glacier highway to Cascade Point. There is currently a pioneer road in this area.
The main things that I am working for are:
1. Protection of Lynn Canal highway revenues from reappropriation – currently there are $37 million in state general funds, $10 million in materials, and $64 million in federal funds.
2. Keep the project moving forward – the State needs to be proactive in completing the new EIS information or appealing the Sedwick decision. Despite tremendous setback, we have to keep on track.
3. Build support to start the first 3 miles
4. Ultimate goal of reaching Skagway by hardlink
I am communicating to the Governor and the Administration these important goals, and will keep you posted on progress as new developments come up.
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Public Comment Period on Alaska Class Ferry
The Alaska Marine Highway is designing the next generation of ferries to begin the replacement of the aging AMHS fleet. AMHS has been encourging public input and involvement through a public survey available on their website, and a series of public meetings. The next meeting is scheduled at the University of Alaska Anchorage on March 26 from 5:30 - 7:00pm. AMHS will be accepting input on the vessel mission and features through May 15, 2009.
Click on the following link for more information on the Alaska Class Ferry.
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