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.

Updated: April 11, 2000 by Whitney Highland, Staff Aide to Senator Leman.

CS SB235 (FIN) authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) to enter into several land exchange and transfer agreements needed for a track upgrade and realignment project between Anchorage and Wasilla, and a highway project near Seward. It also gives the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) authority to relocate, manage and modify existing right of ways for the ARRC and highway utilities within the Chugach State Park.

The ARRC wants to improve the safety and efficiency of its operations by upgrading and realigning its track to reduce 70 sharp curves between Anchorage and Wasilla. To accomplish this, ARRC needs legislative approval under AS 42.40.285 to convey the Corporation's interest in selected lands to certain private landowners, and to exchange several parcels of land with the Air Force and Army on Elmendorf and Fort Richardson; Eklutna, Inc.; and the Municipality of Anchorage. The legislation also authorizes a land exchange with the Chugach Alaska Corporation for 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. Realignment of the track to reduce curvature will decrease the running time between Anchorage and Wasilla from 95 minutes to less than 55 minutes. This makes future rail commuter service between Anchorage and Mat-Su more viable, which could lead to a reduction in traffic growth on the highway. Ultimately, fewer automobiles will reduce the impact on the Glenn and Parks Highways and 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. Communities neighboring the Alaska Railroad will benefit from upgrades to vehicle crossings and additional public access amenities designed to enhance safety and access across the tracks. Service to the northern end of the railbelt will be improved.

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

CS SB235 (FIN) also allows the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to modify the boundaries of Chugach State Park to relocate or widen the Seward Highway to reduce avalanche danger and other potential operational problems.

This legislation authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to exchange lands with the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the Alaska Railroad and utilities in order to modify, improve, upgrade and enhance easements, as necessary, instead of coming to the legislature for approval for each separate project.

Transfers of Park land would be contingent upon the findings of the Commissioner that the exchanges would not significantly affect the purposes of the Park. The land transfer would be limited to the amount necessary for the relocation. All new lands received in exchange for former Park land would become part of Chugach State Park. This bill will provide for the continued upgrading and increased safety along one of our state's most traveled highways.

Attachments:

• Sectional Analysis

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