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 Votes for Airport Expansion

Will Boost Alaska Jobs, Visitors and Image

For Immediate Release: May 4, 1998 Contact: Senator Jerry Ward at (907) 465-4940.

Juneau – On Monday the Senate voted 17 to 3 approving a plan to expand the Anchorage International Airport by increasing the limit for the State of Alaska to sell International Airport revenue bonds. The plan calls for a new 717,000 square foot domestic terminal and makes needed improvements to the current facility to support the current and projected increase in passenger and cargo business.

Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage/Kenai), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee that sponsored Senate Bill 352, said the expansion isn’t just an Anchorage project, it’s an Alaska project.

"The bottom line is Alaska jobs and a strong economy," Ward said. "The Anchorage International Airport is a primary economic engine in Alaska and a point of origin for more than 65 percent of the people who visit our state. In order to compete for visitors and inspire new business activities, we need to develop an infrastructure that supports the projected increase in traffic."

At least 10% of the Anchorage workforce is airline related, said Ward. "This is the single largest public works project the state has ever undertaken and will represent a significant increase in the number of jobs for Alaskans."

Senate Bill 352 amends the statutory bonding limit for the State of Alaska to sell International Airport revenue bonds. The current limit is $100,825,000. This bill changes that limit to $280,000,000 representing a difference of $179,175,000 – the amount of new debt proposed to finance passenger terminal improvements.

Ward noted that the Governor, who offered a similar plan, failed to realize $25 million in federal funding that can be applied to this project. "By adding the $25 million in Federal Airport funds to the plan, we significantly reduce the amount the state must borrow," said Ward.

Under the proposed plan, the Anchorage International Airport will benefit in the following ways:

• Addition of 5 new jet gates for a total of 24.
• Addition of 7 new regional aircraft parking positions for a total of 20.
• Addition of associated gate lounges, ticket lobby, baggage claim facilities and extended curbside road.
• Construction of new 717,000 square foot domestic terminal
• Improve traffic access.

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Broadcast note: Radio actualities are available at (800) 478-6540.
= Jerry Ward, 86 K = Drue Pearce, 42 K