Yes to road upgrade

by Bonnie Kenyon

McCarthy: – On April 11th at noon a teleconference was held between folks in McCarthy, Fairbanks, Palmer and Senator Georgianna Lincoln’s office in Juneau. The main thrust of the meeting was for participants to express their views on the future of the McCarthy Road. Other subjects that were addressed were the footbridge bollards and the Kennicott Wayside project.

Twenty-seven McCarthy area participants gathered at the homes of Ed LaChapelle, Rick Kenyon and the Ma Johnson Hotel. Stephen Syren, landowner of the land surrounding the proposed Wayside project, of Palmer was on hand via phone, Ralph Swarthout of Fairbanks, Director of the Department of Transportation’s Northern Region and an assistant of Representative Carl Morgan’s office in Juneau were connected as well.

Ralph Swarthout explained and updated the group on the McCarthy Road project’s design stage. A McCarthy Road location study and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared. DOT is in the early stages of the EIS. A May agency scoping meeting is being planned along with a public hearing process to be completed in 2005. Swarthout reminded everyone that one of the options will be a no-build. Funding is available for a 2006 and a 2008 construction. The first phase of the construction will probably be the first 17 miles from Chitina to the Kuskalana Bridge

Swarthout gave an update on the Kennicott River Wayside pro¬ject. He said there is an environ¬men¬tal document presently in the approval process which could take another month or two. If there is a build decision, con¬struction could begin in 2005. He was quick to admit that there is a differing opinion on the Right-of-Way width.

The Kennicott Road slide repair and the Lakina River bridge repair projects are being planned for 2004.

The footbridge was addressed. According to Swarthout, the bridge was constructed as a pedestrian bridge. The bollards have been removed and replaced many times. He said he is working with the Attorney General and hopes they can find a solution.

DOT is also studying the possibility of building a vehicle bridge across the Kennicott River. His office is providing information to the Commis¬sioner’s office. There is also a no-build option on this project.

Out of the twenty people who responded with comments on the McCarthy Road, 100% spoke in support for the road upgrade. Road surface was broached