Press Release: Homer Airport Access Road to Receive Upgrade

Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman, (907) 258-8164
Wendy Lindskoog, (907) 258-8187
Anchorage Legislative Information Office
Anchorage, AK 99501
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org

Homer Airport Access Road to Receive Upgrade

For Immediate Release: July 21, 1997 Contact: Pat Springer (907) 235-2921 or Nancy Kosch (907) 235-0690

HOMER - Representative Gail Phillips (R-Homer) and Senator John Torgerson (R-Kasilof) Monday expressed their enthusiasm at news the Homer Airport Access Road will be paved in the next several weeks.

Central Region Department of Transportation (DOT) officials have confirmed that negotiations with the paving contractor, Quality Asphalt, have been finalized. Money for this project was made available from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds.

Senator Torgerson and Representative Phillips said the DOT and FAA acted quickly when their offices made the joint request for this project.

"It was apparent that as the airport project was finished, the access road would be left until next season. The Senator and I encouraged DOT to utilize the resources from the Baycrest Hill project to complete the work this year," said Representative Phillips.

Senator Torgerson personally spoke with Commissioner Perkins to bring about his support.

"We felt it was important to have the road paved as soon as possible to maintain access to the airport. If the road was left unpaved this winter, the access road would have been eroded and there are limited funds for up-keep," said Torgerson.

City Manager Patti Whalin said she was pleased to see the project funded.

"As one of most visible tourist destinations, I am pleased to see this project funded. It is a good economic benefit to the community and a priority of the Mayor & Homer City Council. My thanks goes out to the citizens of Homer, Department of Transportation, Speaker of the House Gail Phillips and Senator John Torgerson for their support and hard work in seeing the Homer Airport Project through."

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