An Act authorizing the exchange of land between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and Eklutna, Inc., between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the United States Department of the Army and the United States Department of the Air Force, between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and Chugach Alaska Corporation, and between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the Municipality of Anchorage; and providing for an effective date.

Posted: February 21, 2000
Contact: Representative Lisa Murkowski at (907) 465-3783

House Bill 362 authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) to enter into several land exchange agreements needed for a track upgrade and realignment project.

The ARRC wants to improve safety and efficiency of its operation by upgrading and realigning its track to reduce 70 sharp curves between Anchorage and Wasilla. To accomplish this project, ARRC needs legislative approval under AS 42.40.285 to convey the Corporation's entire interest in certain lands in exchange for equivalently valued land owned by Elmendorf Air Force Base, Fort Richardson Army Base, Eklutna, Inc., Chugach Alaska Corporation, the Municipality of Anchorage, and certain landowners between mileposts 133 and 134. The land exchanges are necessary for the ARRC's realignment project and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' highway relocation project near Seward.

Straighter track is inherently safer due to reduced track and equipment wear, consistency in train handling, increased sight distance, and reduced maintenance requirements-all leading to reduced frequency of train derailments and lower operating costs. Realignment of the track to reduce curvature will decrease the running time between Anchorage and Wasilla from 95 minutes to 53 minutes by increasing the average train speed from 35 mph to approximately 50 mph, making future commuter service more viable.

Reduced transit time between Anchorage and Wasilla will mean a potential reduction in the traffic growth on the Glenn Highway. Ultimately, fewer automobiles will reduce the impact on the Glenn and Parks Highways. Increased railroad passenger traffic may lessen some demand for future road maintenance and capital improvements.

The track upgrade and realignment will also reduce train gridlock, create more jobs for Alaskans through additional freight and passenger service, and build a better infrastructure to support future economic development in Alaska. But more important to the communities neighboring the Alaska Railroad, this project includes upgrades to vehicle crossings and additional public access amenities that will enhance safety and access across the tracks. It will also improve service to the northern end of the railbelt.

The proposed track improvements are supported by the Alaska Visitors Association, Matanuska-Susitna Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, Palmer Chamber of Commerce, Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Wasilla.