An Act establishing the Legislative Road Development Task Force; and providing for an effective date.

House Bill 384(EDT) establishes a Legislative Task Force whose duties would include: research existing plans for road development in the state, identify roads that are important to Alaska's future economic development, study feasibility of developing or upgrading roads in order to promote future economic development, determine availability and source of funds to develop or upgrade those roads, and establish a priority ranking for project to develop or upgrade the roads identified by the Task Force. The Task Force would include 2 legislators (one from each body) to serve as co-chairs; and one member from: Alaska Trucking Association; International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302; State Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors; Alaska State Chamber of Commerce; Associated General Contractors of Alaska; Alaska Miners Association; Alaska Federation of Natives; and a member designated by Teamsters Local 959. One public member would round out the Task Force. The Commissioners of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and the Department of Community and Economic Development would serve as nonvoting members.

Without a better transportation infrastructure, many areas in Alaska cannot be developed to their full potential. Among the roads the Task Force should consider is: Williamsport Road from Iliamna Bay to Pile Bay, road to Pogo Mine; Rock Creek Road in the Nome area; Tazlina Lake road; road from Wasilla to Bethel; road from Wasilla to Tyonek; road along west short of Cook Inlet; road to Nome; road to Cordova; road to Ruby; road to Fort Yukon; Donlin Creek Road; road to Dillingham; road around northern end of Lake Illiamna; road from Rampart to Eurkea; upgrading the Dalton Highway; road from Ruby to McGrath; Healy to the Richardson Highway; Ruby to Takotna; Takotna to Flat to Crooked Creek and any other roads that the Task Force feels are important to develop.

Many of the roads listed above have been discussed by the House Special Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, upon which I serve. These discussions have impressed on me the need for some forward thinking when it comes to road projects. We need to get roads up and going to benefit all areas of the state. Besides natural resource projects, tourism could benefit from roads to all points of the state, thus offering smaller areas more economic opportunities. While new roads could be viewed as interrupting the way of life in rural areas, it is important to remember that if those rural areas want to remain viable, they need a transportation access for business, industry, or tourists.

The Task Force would complete its work and make recommends on the first day of the 22nd Alaska State Legislature (January 2001).

Sectional Analysis for HB 384