Dear Neighbors,

In December I sent you all an update regarding the use of the "bridge money" - $400 million originally earmarked for Gravina and Knik Arm bridges. We’ve kept a tally of your responses, and a list of proposed alternate transportation projects that some of you feel might be a more appropriate use of those funds.

I thought you might find it interesting to know that of the constituents who responded to our email, eight percent were in favor of going ahead and spending the money on both bridges. Twenty one percent were in favor of building the Knik bridge only. Sixteen percent were in favor of no bridges at all. Over half, 54%, were in favor of using the “bridge money” for other important transportation projects.

In the weeks since that update was sent, there have been more traffic fatalities on the Seward Highway. I noticed that following the most recent accident, where two more people died, the responses that continued to come into our office urged that we improve the safety of the roads and highways that we have today.

At every level of government, there exists a balance between long-range planning for economic development and meeting the immediate needs of the present. In this case, it seems clear that, currently, the majority of my constituents favor increasing the safety of our citizens on our highways and roadways today over building bridges for the future.

Thanks again for your responses,

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