"Bridge to Nowhere" on Rush Limbaugh Jan 4, 2007

[skeptoid]

Listening to the Rush caller it occurred to me that many Americans may not know there are TWO bridge projects proposed. The Knik bridge would be a low crossing, but the Ketchikan bridge would have to accomodate Panamax vessels which need 200 feet vertical clearance (for comparison, the Golden Gate has 220').

Note the locations below on the inset maps of Alaska......they are about 700 miles apart.

At this point, the funds from Congress have been allocated and it's up to the State of Alaska how the funds will be used, but the amount is far less than needed for either project.

For facts and figures, see the official Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority or Knik Bridge Facts, (for alternate view)

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The official Gravina Access site and an alternate view

[okie01]

The Gravina Access bridge has never made any sense.

Currently, arriving and departing passengers must use the ferry to cross the strait and reach the airport (or the city).

While a modest inconvenience, we're talking mere minutes here. And, indeed, the ferry trip probably doesn't take any longer than the roundabout road trip would.

Spending $315 million to alleviate a modest inconvenience for 13,000 people is (or should be) obviously beyond the pale.

If we really must do something for the good people of Ketchikan, I propose offering a federal subsidy that would make the ferry free to all users. The cost would be an inconsequential fraction of the bridge's cost.

I'm less familiar with the Knik Arm bridge...but it certainly appears to be more justified than the Gravina Access bridge.

[Morgan in Denver]

I'm not implying I support a bridge to nowhere, but have you been to Katchikan? I have, and if they ever want to grow as a community they have to be accessible. They aren't now and the only way in is by boat or plane. I'm not privy to Alaska's planning but it would not surprise me if they are considering a road there in the future.

[Republican Wildcat]

It's easy to say the bridge is not necessary when you aren't one of the 14,000 people.

[Atlas Sneezed]

If we really must do something for the good people of Ketchikan, I propose offering a federal subsidy that would make the ferry free to all users. The cost would be an inconsequential fraction of the bridge's cost.

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Or offer them the chance to vote on whether to take $2500 in cash, per person, or get a bridge.

The cash offer would be 10% the cost.

Free ferry makes sense, too.

In some cities, people can't park their cars close to airports, either. They have to walk down long halls, ride conveyor belts, or take free trams. I suggest that they have a dock on the city side that they call the "entrance to the airport" and make the ferry part of the airport experience.

[Joe Boucher]

Why should I subsidize those folks?
They are the ones that want to live there.

[skeptoid]

I have been to Ketchikan, and this proposed bridge is from the town to a MORE REMOTE island that the airport is on (per above graphic). In other words, the bridge goes AWAY from the mainland, and would never be part of a road connection with the rest of the world.

The airport, BTW is served by a car and passenger ferry every 30 minutes or less.

[skeptoid]

I agreewith your take ...... I'll bet the local gov't and residents could use a little help on the ferry cost. i wonder how such a small community could even justify the maintainence costs of such a bridge.

[TexGuy]

They just need a BIG trebuchet ...

[org.whodat]

a little help on the ferry cost.

Haven't the good folks of Alaska received an annual check for years as a share in oil revenue. Let them pay for their own bridge.

[pgkdan]

It's easy to say the bridge is not necessary when you aren't one of the 14,000 people.

...and when you ARE one of the tax payers whe were being tapped to pay for it. Alaska gets a lot of money from their oil industry that's paid directly to it's citizens every year. Use that money to pay for the bridge and leave mine alone.

[Chena]

bookmarking

[proudpapa]

I just recently flew into Ketchican on my way back from Juneau.

When I saw the ferry crossing, my first thought was...

...how stupid. They should build a bridge.

[willgolfforfood]

I've never been there, but I'm guessing you'd never confuse this airport with O'hare, Atlanta's Hart field, or DFW.

For the $230 million that is the cost of this bridge (never mind what it would cost after the usual overruns) I'd be willing to bet they could almost build another "almost equivalent" airport on the other side of the river.

[Paladin2]

looks like they need to move the runway and build a single bridge directly to t he airport (or maybe a tunnel to come out on the other side of the existing runway).

[proudpapa]

Everything costs more in Alaska, except the salmon.

[skeptoid]

Since they built the airport, a huge cruise ship industry has developed and close to a million passengers visit every summer. Go to Google Maps, type 'ketchikan, ak' in the search box and zoom in a few clicks and you will get an idea of the ships and floatplanes that are using the waterway.

[RightWhale]

If some of the oil revenue that is taken from the State were allowed to remain in the State and if some of the 99% of the State that is off limits to the private sector were released to the private sector, Alaska could do all this and a lot more. As it is, Alaska is effectively economically strangled.

[Chena]

If some of the oil revenue that is taken from the State were allowed to remain in the State and if some of the 99% of the State that is off limits to the private sector were released to the private sector, Alaska could do all this and a lot more. As it is, Alaska is effectively economically strangled.

Well said and true, RightWhale.

[RightWhale]

It is interesting that there appears to be an endless supply of people who just don't get it. Happy New Year!