GRAVINA ISLAND: Murkowski, who leaves office Dec. 4, wants to award a contract by Dec. 1.
By MATT VOLZ
The Associated Press
JUNEAU -- The Bridge to Nowhere may be headed somewhere, with Alaska's outgoing governor planning to award a contract in his final days of office worth up to $30 million.
The contract would be for roadwork on Gravina Island leading to the planned bridge to Ketchikan. The $328 million project became a symbol of pork-barrel spending in Congress last year. That debate gave rise to the "nowhere" moniker that has angered residents who believe the bridge will expand the region's economy.
Alaska Department of Transportation officials overseeing the project have been ordered to hurry the bidding process so that a contractor can be named on Dec. 1.
"That's been our charge," said Special Projects Manager Jim Lowell on Friday.
The work, estimated by Lowell to be between $20 and $30 million, would not begin until next spring.
Gov. Frank Murkowski leaves office Dec. 4.
"We don't know what the next governor is going to do, but we believe it's appropriate to move forward on the project," Murkowski spokesman John Manly said. "It's something we've been trying to get moved forward for the last four years."
Democratic candidate Tony Knowles' spokeswoman, Patty Ginsburg, said Murkowski should defer such large commitments to the next governor.
"It's a little upsetting to see Gov. Murkowski try to fence the next governor in," Ginsburg said.
Republican Sarah Palin's spokesman, Curtis Smith, said Palin supports the Ketchikan bridge project, but had no immediate response to Murkowski's plans.
Even if this initial work is begun, a big hurdle remains: The project is $195 million short, and state transportation officials wonder where the money will come from.
The Ketchikan bridge was originally funded at $223 million by Congress, but its federal earmarks were removed after a contentious debate last year. The money was sent to Alaska without the earmarks, and much of it was diverted to other projects.
The total amount available for the bridge now is about $133 million. Alaska transportation officials say because of the project's public scrutiny, future federal earmarks are unlikely, and it is doubtful that the shortfall could be made up with state money. They recommend scaling down the project to reduce the cost.
"Project stakeholders need to recognize and accept the reality that the preferred alternative (project) will likely never be fully funded given the $328 million project cost," a July update from the state Department of Transportation reads.
Ketchikan city leaders reject alternative projects, such as a lower bridge that would save about $85 million but block access to cruise ships and ferries.
After meeting with Ketchikan officials earlier this month, Murkowski said he plans to recommend that the next governor include the full $195 million in next year's capital budget.
"We wanted to make sure Ketchikan is still behind this alternative and that the community will engage in a strategy needed to get the funding through the Legislature," Murkowski said in an Oct. 2 statement.
Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein said the full amount may not be needed in one year, but it could be spread out over the life of the construction project.
The contract Murkowski plans to award in his final days does not ensure the future of the bridge project, Weinstein said. Building a road on Gravina Island would help the island's development, but city leaders are very aware of the cash shortfall for the rest of the project, he said.
"I've seen what the other candidates have said. There seems to be general support for the project, but again, each of the candidates is aware that it will take additional funds to complete the project. No candidate to my knowledge has said they will absolutely support $195 million in the ... capital budget," Weinstein said.
Democratic candidate Tony Knowles' spokeswoman, Patty Ginsburg, said Murkowski should defer such large commitments.
