Alaska News

Lawmaker: Glenn Highway closures highlight need for Knik Arm Bridge

On Friday morning, a car chase that ended with a flaming vehicle and a fatal trooper-involved shooting and delayed traffic on the Glenn Highway between Anchorage and Wasilla for hours.

The pursuit began when troopers observed a 1994 Saturn coupe with a single male occupant fail to signal when turning onto the Parks Highway. After being Tasered with no effect, the man advanced toward troopers with a raised baseball bat and was shot. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

No need to let such an opportunity go to waste, right?

Early Friday evening, Alaska state Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Susitna Valley, noted in a press release that the shooting and investigation wouldn't have been such a disruption to Alaska's transportation network if there were more routes into and out of Anchorage ... such as the Knik Arm bridge.

Rep. Neuman's remarks were issued by the state House Majority. Maybe he drew the short straw?

Read the statement below:

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

ADVERTISEMENT