News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Senate to Examine State Transportation Systems

Forms Task Force to Solve Transportation Challenges

For Immediate Release: May 2, 1997 Contact: Senator John Torgerson 907/465-2828

Juneau -- So that Alaskans’ transportation needs are met, Senate President Mike Miller created a Department of Transportation (DOT) Task Force that will search for solutions to ensure Alaska’s transportation systems are in compliance with federal regulations and will continue to receive federal funding, assistance and support.

Senator Miller named Senator John Torgerson Chairman of the interim committee who will be joined by Senators Sharp, Taylor and Hoffman.

"The re-authorization of the Federal Highway program, the restructuring of the Marine Highway System, and the threats from the Federal Aviation Administration to close some of our certified airports, created the need for an interim committee that will interact with the Knowles administration to achieve the maximum benefit for Alaskans," Miller said.

"The Federal Aviation Administration has threatened to close down several of our airports if Alaska fails to match current federal regulations," Torgerson said. We need to take a hard look at the federal concerns and offer solutions that will ensure our airports remain in operation. We also need to look at how we can restructure the Marine Highway System to make it more cost efficient and still provide services needed for Southeast and Southwest Alaska."

"I am looking forward to leading this group and working with the administration as we search for solutions to many of Alaska’s transportation challenges," Torgerson said.

The Task Force will examine:

• The State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)
• The Marine Highway System
• Federal Funding for Design and Construction and Planning
• The Airport System: We received a letter from FAA indicating that the State of Alaska is in jeopardy of losing federal funding if airports in question are not brought up to standard.
• The overall DOT operations budget

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Broadcast note: Radio Actualities are available by calling 800/478-6540