JUNEAU -- The state of Alaska on Friday officially abandoned the controversial "bridge to nowhere" project in Ketchikan that became a symbol of federal pork-barrel spending.
The $398 million bridge would have connected Ketchikan to its airport on a nearby island.
"Ketchikan desires a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer," Gov. Sarah Palin said in a prepared statement.
She directed the state transportation department to find the most "fiscally responsible" alternative for access to the airport.
Republicans U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and U.S. Rep. Don Young championed the project through Congress two years ago, securing more than $200 million in funds for the bridge between Ketchikan, on Revillagigedo Island, and Gravina Island.
Under mounting political pressure over pork projects, Congress stripped the earmark - or stipulation - that the money be used for the airport, but still sent the money to the state for any use it deemed appropriate.
The state took much of that for other projects around the state.
Palin on Friday said the Ketchikan project was $329 million short of full funding.
"It's clear that Congress has little interest in spending any more money on a bridge between Ketchikan and Gravina Island," Palin said.
"Much of the public's attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here. But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened," she said.
The DOT will prepare a list of projects across the state where the $36 million in federal funds that was set aside for Gravina Island could be used.
The DOT also will look for a more affordable answer for Gravina Island access, she said.
"The original purpose of this project was to improve access to Gravina Island, and we will continue to work with the community to help them attain that goal," DOT Commissioner Leo von Scheben said.
Von Scheben indicated the excess bridge money could be used to build roads in Alaska, where many communities are off the road system.
"There is no question we desperately need to construct new roads in this state, including in southeast Alaska, where skyrocketing costs for the Alaska Marine Highway System present an impediment to the state's budget and the region's economy," said von Scheben.
