Ketchikan is 97% developed. Anchorage is 94% developed. They are in a development bind without bridge outlets. On the other thing, Murkowskis have owned that land for 30 years and did not buy it in anticipation of a bridge.
That may be true. However, after the next big earthquake, there will be plenty of opportunities for "re-development" in Anchorage. Especially after that new Federal courthouse downtown falls into the Knik Arm...