Tom Warne Report, 20 March 2014
JUNEAU – Transportation officials in Alaska have just revived a plan to build an access route between Juneau and Skagway, which has been under discussion among Juneau residents for years. Two alternatives are being considered. One would construct a road on the western side of the Lynn Canal, ending in Haines. Drivers would utilize the short-range Alaska Marine Highway System ferry from just north of Juneau to get to the road.
The state’s preferred plan would construct a road on the eastern side of the Lynn Canal, beginning 40 miles north of Downtown Juneau. A 50-mile extension would connect to the Katzehin River, where drivers would take one of the state’s proposed Alaska-class ferries for a brief trip to Haines or Skagway.
“There is savings to the state both in capital costs and in operating costs,” said Jeff Otteson, DOT’s program director. “There is even larger savings to the users in using this system.” He said on average, the state spends $1.72 billion in maintenance for a mainline AMHS ferry over 50 years. He said the state could save money by cutting one or two ferries that would no longer be needed if a road were built.
Opponents of the route include the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, which says it is too costly and dangerous, because it travels through 36 avalanche zones.
The road project would cost about $500 million, and take approximately five years to complete. If funding is approved, construction could kick off as early as this summer.
Juneau is the only state capital in the United States from which you cannot drive to another city. If you have ever been there, you know of the majestically rugged terrain, so, in a way it makes sense that a road has not been pioneered to an adjacent city. Most state capital cities in America could not imagine not being connected to any other city in their state by highway. Alaska’s Juneau is unique.How long will this continue? The route along the Lynn Canal is logical, buildable with great effort, and appears to be the inevitable solution. JN