January 16, 2006 - Ferry System Should Be High Priority

TCS is speaking frankly when it comes to transportation around the region and across the state of Alaska, and participated in a legislative hearing on the subject. We support improvements to the Alaska Marine Highway System and its proposed Gateway Shuttle providing extensive cargo and passenger service between Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The economics of this sort of project make sense. As does the Saxman ferry terminal, the Tongass Avenue improvements in Ketchikan, Seward Highway safety improvements, and a myriad other local interest projects throughout Alaska. Our concern lies with the fact that ADOT and the current Murkowski administration seem determined to fund two massive bridge projects, the Knik Arm crossing and the bridge to Gravina Island (the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere"), with little or no economic reasoning or community support. Share your comments or concerns with us via email or at the TCS Cyber Cafe.