From: Alaska Center for the Environment
To: ace@akcenter.org
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 1:24 PM
Subject: [akcenter] Take Action: Knik Arm Bridge
Knik Arm Bridge Public Hearings
Dear ACE Member:
Your comments are NEEDED at THIS WEEK’S HEARINGS to promote an alternative to the Knik Arm Bridge, which threatens to undermine Anchorage’s tax base and redevelopment. Attend and provide comments at the following scheduled public meetings.
July 12th – Wasilla Multi-Sports complex 6-8:30pm
July 13th – Anchorage Egan Center 5-7:30pm
We need to urge the Federal Highway Administration to add the proposed “Congestion Relief/Non-Bridge Package” alternative for evaluation in the draft EIS, just as it recently added new bridge access routes through military land for evaluation in the draft EIS.
Proposed “Congestion Relief/Non-Bridge Package” alternative:
Institute regular car ferry transit to Point MacKenzie,
Invest in commuter rail between the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage,
Provide carpool and vanpool incentives for travel from the Mat-Su Valley to Anchorage, and
Expand bus service and institute streetcar transit in Anchorage
This four-component alternative will meet the needs of a Knik Arm Crossing project potentially at lower cost, while still stimulating economic development and allowing for population growth. Additionally, this alternative will minimizes the adverse effects of sprawl development, helps downtown businesses which rely on pedestrian traffic, provides construction and operational jobs for Alaskans, does not degrade air quality, and protects the Cook Inlet beluga whale (a National Marine Fisheries Service “depleted” species) and Cook Inlet salmon. This alternative allows for cargo movement between Port MacKenzie and Anchorage via ship, relieves commuting congestion and allows for population growth, provides multiple transport routes for emergencies and other purposes, and addresses the need for mobility within Anchorage.
Additional talking points http://www.akcenter.org/take_action/knik_bridge_fact_sheet.pdf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information contact Andre Camara (andre@akcenter.org / (907)274-3668) or Emily Ferry (emily@aktransportation.org / (907)209-0082)