Capital budget funds big MAT-SU projects with

MAT-SU— Big projects with statewide benefits in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough continue to progress with new funding from the recently passed State capital budget. Port MacKenzie Rail receives $37.5 million, Goose Creek Correctional Center receives its original funds from the Governor’s budget, $3.6 million, and South Denali Visitor Center receives $3 million.

“Thank you Governor Parnell for investing in rail infrastructure that will help diversify the Alaska economy from oil to new industries such as cement and to the Alaska Legislature for seeing the future in the project. And we give special thanks to House Finance Co-Chair Rep. Bill Stoltze and the MAT-SU delegation for hard work well done,” said Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss.

The Borough thanks the MAT-SU state delegation: Sen. Charlie Huggins, Sen. Linda Mendard, Sen. John Coghill, Rep. Bill Stoltze, Rep. Carl Gatto, Rep. Mark Neuman, Rep. Wes Keller, and Rep. Eric Feige.

$37.5 million for Port Mackenzie Rail Extension

The rail extension links the Alaska Railroad to a deep water port at Port MacKenzie. The shorter distance to tidewater makes mineral development economical. The value of mineral production is projected to be nearly $1 billion a year over 100 years, according to ISER, Institute of Social & Economic Research. State revenues are estimated to reach $300 million annually in taxes, royalties and fees. The project will create thousands of new jobs. The benefits of the project far outweigh its estimated $218 million cost. The new appropriation will fund two of the planned three construction contracts, keeping this important project moving closer to the halfway point for rail embankment construction.

$3.6 million for Goose Creek Correctional Center

Original funding was restored for the Goose Creek Correctional Center, a project that is ahead of its construction schedule and within its $240 million budget. By housing in state, Goose Creek will ultimately provide for 345 permanent well-paying Corrections jobs with benefits. 0 percent of prison workers in Colorado will be Alaskan workers. The restored funding will provide the capital needed to begin the transition from a construction project to an operational facility.  With these funds, the Department of Corrections will be able to properly test, maintain and use the critical systems within Goose Creek as it readies for full operations.

“Goose Creek does what the prison law set out to do. It will help bring home 1,000 Alaska inmates who are in Colorado. Inmates are less likely to cost the state more money by reoffending if we bring inmates closer to their families and take advantage of the dedicated space for rehabilitative programs at the new prison,” DeVilbiss said.

The prison is in Assembly Member Cindy Bettine’s district. “Seeing the prison open on time will provide much needed jobs for MAT-SU.  The construction phase created $100 million in payroll with 93 percent Mat Su hires. We hope the long term staffing will be similar,” Bettine said.

$3 million for South Denali Visitor Center

The state appropriation will help pay for design and construction

of an access road and will begin a portion of the construction into the transportation hub on the lower part of the ridge. This visitor center will show the other face of Denali and will draw up to 350,000 annual visitors, bumping up MAT-SU tourism dollars considerably. In a single year, visitors spend $101 million in the MAT-SU. When the Center opens its doors, tourists are projected to spend an additional $44 million in the MAT-SU Borough each year, according to ISER. The project is a joint MAT-SU, State, Federal project.

$250,000 for a Big Lake Community Impact Assessment study

This study is funded through grants to municipalities. Assembly Member Cindy Bettine asked for the study given the large projects going in near the community of Big Lake. “The Big Lake Community Council has long been in support of port development and the construction of Goose Creek Prison, but realizes that their community sits smack in the middle of the future transportation corridor for industrial traffic between Point MacKenzie and the Parks Highway,” Bettine said. “It's an important project for the Borough in terms of getting communities to buy in to Borough development plans.  I think Rep. Mark Neuman and Sen. Charlie Huggins understand the importance of preserving community walk-ability that Big Lake now enjoys.”

$10 million state Trunk Road reconstruction

The second phase of this State road project will work on Trunk Road from the Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Palmer-Fishhook Road.

Other transportation projects include

• $3 million for substandard roads and bridges replacement and repair

• $1 million to Bodenburg Creek Bridge replacement, repair

• $220,000 Willow Road Service Area North Michigan upgrade

• Several road service areas received $30,000 each

Fire departments and some fire service areas received state appropriations.

Among them:

• $50,000 to Butte Fire Department for equipment

• $20,000 to the new West Lakes Fire Dept.

Schools and community groups within the MAT-SU Borough received state funding as well.

Among the funding for area schools:

$16.2 million for school district network wiring and infrastructure improvements

$1.5 million for Academy Charter School expansion

$800,000 for Palmer High artificial turf

$785,000 Colony High artificial turf

$750,000 for a wood-fired boiler for Su Valley High, supplemental heat.

$500,000 MAT-SU School District wireless access

$120,000 for school district library and technology upgrade

$100,000 MAT-SU School district technology upgrade

$30,000 Birchtree Elementary library

Among the funding for area community groups:

$460,300 for MAT-SU Service for Children and Adults, design, plan, remodel,

$200,000 Mid-Valley Senior Center roof replacement and improvements

$420,000 Sunshine Community Health Center-construction

Photos: top: By Patty Sullivan/MSB Cutting through a ridge and other work at Port MacKenzie last summer contractors moved more than a million cubic yards of soil. This is the new bimodal road, just after it separates from a proposed rail embankment to provide access for trucks to Lu Young Lane. Middle Photo: by Patty Sullivan/MSB One of the five buildings at the Goose Creek Correctional Center. Bottom Photo: Mount McKinley by NPS.

For more information call Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 355-0103 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.