In a conference with reporters Friday, Gov. Bill Walker said he has not made up his mind about the long-planned Juneau Access road project.
In a column dated Sept. 19, Charles Wohlforth of the Alaska Dispatch News said Walker told him in early September that he was weighing approval of the road. Wohlforth’s column implied that Walker was leaning toward acceptance of the project.
“I didn’t intend to give the indication I was leaning one particular direction or another, because I’m not right now,” Walker said.
He added that the Juneau Access project included six options for improved transportation between Juneau and upper Lynn Canal, and he’s still determining “which makes the most sense.”
The leading option among the six is an extension of Juneau’s road network north, along the east side of Lynn Canal, to an as-yet-unbuilt ferry terminal north of the Katzehin River.
The new road would not connect Juneau to Skagway by surface highways, but it would cut the ferry trip between the two cities significantly. The $574 million proposal is seen by many as the first step in connecting Juneau and Skagway with an asphalt road link, but it is opposed by those who see such a road as overly costly, dangerous and environmentally threatening.
The final word on Juneau Access had been expected as early as March, but the state’s budget crisis has delayed a decision.
Walker’s comments Thursday came amid a discussion focused on his recently concluded trip to Asia, which was intended to garner support for the trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.
The state had partnered with three oil companies to build the pipeline, but all three have withdrawn their support, citing a decline in energy prices that has made the pipeline uncompetitive under most scenarios.
Under current schedules, the pipeline would not begin operating until the mid-2020s, but in order to proceed at all, the state needs financial backing.
That backing depends on getting customers for the gas that will be produced.
“The commercial contracts are the underpinning for the financing of the project,” said Alaska Gasline Development Corporation president Keith Meyer.
Walker’s recent trip included stops in Singapore and Korea where he attempted to garner support for contracts.
• Contact reporter James Brooks at 523-2258 or james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com.
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