Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Thursday overwhelmingly passed House Bill 12, sponsored by Representative Jeannette James (R-North Pole). HB 12 reauthorizes the identification of a corridor for the extension of the Alaska Railroad to the Canadian border and allows eventual funding from any source, private or public. The vote was 17-2.

"We need to have this authorization on the books so we aren't scrambling for it when project funds become available," said Representative James. "The U.S., Canadian, and Russian governments are increasingly interested in a U.S.-Asian rail link through Alaska and we must be prepared for the day when it becomes a reality."

A corridor connecting the Alaska Railroad with the Canadian border was delineated by statute in 1982 and an application was made to the Bureau of Land Management. A 1995 study reached a cost estimate of over $6 billion to acquire the right-of-way. In 1996 the Federal Department of Transportation withdrew the 1982 application to the BLM due to "lack of interest."

"This DOT action, citing 'lack of interest,' came despite legislation I sponsored in 1994 which appropriated $10,000 for the cost estimate study," said James. "HB 12 reauthorizes the corridor, updates the 1982 statute, and makes it evident that there is certainly no 'lack of interest' in Alaska for this project.

"Resource development and job opportunities for all areas of Alaska are the obvious advantages of this project," said James. "But it's important to ensure that these things be done with controlled access and without the expensive maintenance problems of other transportation modes."

HB 12 now goes to the Governor for signature.