Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate and House Majorities

Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
Jerry Ritter (907) 465-3804
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality Line: 1-800-478-6540

Legislature Gives Wings to Airport Expansion

Improvements to Boost Jobs, Visitors and Image

For Immediate Release: May 8, 1998 Contact: Senator Jerry Ward at (907) 465-4940 or Representative John Cowdery at (907) 465-3879.

Juneau – On Thursday, the House voted unanimously to expand the Anchorage International Airport. Senate Bill 352 makes much needed improvements to the most antiquated, over crowded, passenger terminal in the Western United States. The expansion will be financed entirely by International Airport revenue bonds and federal airport funds. SB 352 will now be transferred to the governor for his signature.

The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage/Kenai), sponsored SB 352. Representative John Cowdery, R-Anchorage, sponsored similar legislation in the House.

Ward said the expansion plan will add a new 717,000 square foot domestic terminal, with five new jet gates and larger gate lounges, ticket lobby, and the baggage claim facilities. "Improving the Anchorage International Airport facilities is essential for Alaska’s future economic viability. Through improved service and an airport that can handle more traffic, our state can better compete for visitors and lure new business activities," said Ward.

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.

A similar plan offered by the Governor failed to realize $25 million in federal funding that could be applied to this project. "We cut $25 million from the debt portion and replaced it with federal grant money," said Cowdery. "We made the administration commit to phasing the work in contract sizes that would allow maximum participation from Alaskan contractors. We also made sure we could afford the project without sacrificing our ability to expand for future needs. I’m proud of this legislation."

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

"The present terminal complex for domestic flights is an eyesore," said Senator Drue Pearce, a Republican who represents the southern side of the Anchorage International Airport. "Our airport is in a state of disrepair, it’s user unfriendly, and does not suit the needs of Alaskans or our tourists. Anyone who has stood in line for a red-eye flight in the middle of winter, or has fought the baggage claim lines in the summer knows, we cannot continue to operate with a terminal facility that fails to adequately serve our current level of travelers, let alone the projected increase. I am pleased the Legislature passed this package and look forward to upgrading Anchorage’s major economic engine."

"This Anchorage Airport improvement project was established during public hearings last year as one of the top priorities of the Anchorage Caucus," said Senator Dave Donley. "As Co-chair of the Anchorage Caucus, I’m pleased that teamwork by Anchorage legislators is paying off for Anchorage and the entire state."

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Broadcast note: Radio actualities are available at (800) 478-6540.
= Jerry Ward, 45 K = John Cowdery, 73 K = Norman Rokeberg, 52 K