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This article appeared today in our newspaper. (Opinion Section) I thought it was interestring. Voice of the Times (Published: January 26, 2004) STARS SEEM ALIGNED FOR . . . Rail link THE TIME may just be right to link the Alaska Railroad to the continental railway system at Fort Nelson, B.C., a 1,000-mile extension that could have enormous economic implications for Alaska and Western Canada. One of the previous problems with the long-sought rail link has been lack of enthusiasm from the Canadian government in Ottawa, but our neighboring nation’s new Prime Minister Paul Martin seems more positive about the idea. With a gas pipeline from Alaska’s North Slope likely to be built in the relatively near future and members of Alaska’s congressional delegation now in key positions in Washington, building the estimated $3 billion project may be within reach. The time is certainly appropriate to take a good hard look at the possibilities and pursue them if we can. Gov. Frank Murkowski suggests the railroad could be constructed in the same transportation corridor as the gas pipeline and new fiber optic and electric lines. The Alaska Railroad now ends at Eielson Air Force Base outside Fairbanks. The most likely route of the gas pipeline is along the Alaska Highway to the U.S. Midwest. The railroad link is apparently not essential to construction of a gas pipeline, but building them together could provide beneficial economies of scale and mutual support. How the railroad construction costs would be split between the United States and Canada is unclear, but the benefits to both are impressive. The railroad extension could open important new economic opportunities in the continent’s Northwest region. Those include investments in oil and gas development, mining, tourism and other industries. And former North Pole Rep. Jeannette James says Sen. Ted Stevens endorses the railroad link and believes it would be useful for support of the Army’s new Stryker brigade here. One key aspect to the timing is Congressman Don Young’s chairmanship of the U.S. House Transportation Committee. The governor rightly points out that the time to move on such a project is now, while Young is still chairman. Among the project enthusiasts at a recent conference on the subject in Juneau were Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie and two members of the British Columbia Parliament, Minister Greg Halsey-Brandt and Mr. Dennis MacKay, a member of the Northern Caucus. The conference was sponsored by Sen. John J. Cowdery, chair of the Alaska Senate Transportation Committee, and Rep. Jim Holm, his House counterpart. The stars may at last be aligned to link the Alaska Railroad to the continental rail system. It’s time to find out. What do you think?
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