It was refreshing to read the ADN editorial March 6, "Fair share of stimulus: Fund what's needed now, leave gas line for later." Our state leaders need to seriously talk about major upgrade work for our transportation system. The Alaska Trucking Association has long advocated more investment in our highway system.
Alaska's highway system is the economic backbone that allows trucks to deliver the essential items we all need and use in our daily lives. Trucks move nearly 35,000 tons of freight each business day. When trucks stop, Alaska stops.
While we agree that the Legislature should not blindly accept the governor's stimulus project list, we know that DOT really did hustle to get the stimulus list ready. On balance the list addresses pressing needs and distributes projects throughout the state.
The fact that more projects were submitted on the list than there is money available is simply good planning. History tells us that Alaska could very well be the recipient of additional funding because we are positioned to receive it. There are numerous examples in the past when other states could not use their federal highway dollars and Alaska, because of good planning, was able to get the money.
We wholeheartedly agree with the notion of favoring the projects that provide the most jobs for Alaskans. We agree that the stimulus projects should be spread about the state.
Simply because a project may facilitate gas line construction should not disqualify that project from consideration. For example, there are several projects on the list to improve the Dalton Highway, which may be viewed as gas line projects. The Dalton is the only land link to the oil producing fields on the north slope of Alaska. When first constructed in 1974, it was a private haul road to provide equipment, supplies and pipe for the construction of the trans- Alaska oil pipeline. For 35 years this road has been the lifeline to the source of our prosperity.
If a gas line is built, the Dalton will be a key link for oilfield support and gas line construction activity. If not, this is still the most important freight corridor to the Slope. In 2008 nearly 600 loaded trucks traveled the Dalton each month.
The ADN takes issue with $4 million for a new Tok weigh station. We won't quarrel over whether there should be a new weigh station at Tok. Weigh stations provide enforcement of truck size, weight, safety, hazardous materials and permit regulations for the betterment of all of us.
The ADN also wonders about the Parks Highway project. The Parks Highway is the major highway link between Anchorage and Fairbanks. In addition to being an important safety improvement project, the $23 million project to rehabilitate an 11-mile stretch is part of a continuing project to strengthen the roadbed to all season freight capacity. Currently hundreds of trucks head north each week to Fairbanks loaded with clothes, food, iPhones, snowmachines, grapes, you name it.
A project was begun as many as 10 years ago to bring the Parks up to a standard where weight restrictions would not be necessary to protect the highway during spring thaw. Weight restrictions place an undue economic burden on Alaska's economy and consumers pay as a result of the reduced payloads. Sound, all-weather construction of highways on freight corridors benefits the citizens of Alaska. Additionally, car and truck drivers will enjoy a much better ride as they travel the Parks.
The ADN is right; we need to "Keep a sharp focus on jobs, fairness and immediate needs in spending stimulus money." We think the governor's list goes a long way to meeting that goal.
Aves Thompson is executive director of the Alaska Trucking Association.
By AVES THOMPSON