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Sponsored by: Anderson
FAILED TO BE APPROVED.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 97-039
and
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, OPPOSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD TO WHITTIER
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska has authorized the construction of roadway acc s to the
City of Whittier following the route of the railway from Portage to Whittier and utilizing e existing
railroad tunnel along that route; and
WHEREAS, cost estimates for the project already exceed the $50 Millio
WHEREAS, application of federal and state highway funds to a oject of this size will have
significant long term negative impacts on future statewide capital b gets for maintenance of the
State's existing highways and roads; and
WHEREAS, Whittier has an existing rail link which ould be improved and upgraded for
substantially less money than is proposed for construction fthe proposed road; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Trans rtation and Public Facilities failed to consult
citizens or hold hearings in areas other than Anch age and Whittier before committing in excess
of $50 Million in ever-shrinking state and feder highway funds to this project; and
WHEREAS, Alaska Department 0 ransportation and Public Facilities engineers and staff
have committed significant amounts of lr time and energy to this project to the detriment of other
road systems within Alaska, and muc needed maintenance on the Seward and Sterling Highways
is being ignored or postponed; and
WHEREAS, if cons
in the State of Alaska for
ted, the Whittier Road Project will detract from every road system
y years to come; and
WHEREAS, ittier does not have the land or infrastructure to accommodate increased
vehicle traffic and i inherent related problems; and
WHE AS, it is in the public interest to invest in continued and sorely needed maintenance
of Alaska's xisting roads and highways before building new roadways to communities with
establish transportation links to Anchorage and beyond;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 97-039
Section 1. The City of Seward opposes building a road to Whittier as proposed by the
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and urges Governor Knowles and the
Alaska Legislature to replace this project with one to improve Whittier's rail infrastructure and
service.
Section 2. The City Clerk is instructed to forward copies of this resolution to Governor Tony
Knowles and all members of the Alaska State Legislature.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
FAILED TO BE APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 24th
day of March, 1997.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Louis A. Bencardino, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Anderson
Bencardino, Blatchford, Clark, Crane, Keil, King
None
None
Note: Resolution was introduced on March 10, 1997 and was postponed until March 24,1997.
ATTEST:
Linda S. Murphy, CMC/AAE
City Clerk
(City Seal)