May 20, 2002
Monday - 12:30 am

Representative Bill Williams, R-Saxman, announced on Sunday a long list of projects and other local priorities that were funded in the capital budget and bond legislation.

The 2nd special session of the 22nd Alaska Legislature wrapped up Sunday after agreement between the House and Senate majorities and minorities on accessing the Constitutional Budget Reserve to balance FY03's budget.

"I'm happy that we've reached an agreement on the budget, and I'm really pleased with all of the projects we were able to fund for District One," Representative Williams commented.

The poor condition of South Tongass Highway and the fact that it isn't scheduled for a major upgrade until 2005 has been at the forefront of construction/capital budget problems Rep. Williams said he has been trying to solve this session.

"I've worked closely with Commissioner Perkins of DOT/PF and added federal authorization to give the Department the ability to do some work on South Tongass this summer," said Williams. "Joe understands that we've got to do something to make South Tongass drivable as an interim step before the major redo is completed. We were able to give him the flexibility he needed to approach the federal highway administration for the permission to do some resurfacing out there this summer."

The final funding piece for the long awaited Swan/Tyee intertie was included in House Bill 528, which passed the legislature last Tuesday night.

"Getting $20 million for the completion of the intertie was fantastic," Rep. Williams added. "In order for Ketchikan to have a chance to grow, we've got to have cheap, plentiful power. Completing the Swan/Tyee intertie is crucial to our future."

Included in the supplemental portion of the capital budget, which Williams oversees, was $20 million for the Alaska Marine Highway System - the Aurora will stay in Southern Southeast and resume its scheduled runs. "The ferry system is fully funded for next year, and the boats will be running as scheduled. Ensuring that our 'highway' was fully funded was a must have for me."

List of Projects Funded for District One

Bond Bills

HB 524 Education G.O.

Paul/Ziegler classroom renovation: $3.9 Million
Robertson Classroom/parking lot renovation: $385,000

HB 525 Transportation G.O.

South Tongass Widening & Path Extension, Ph 1: $5 Million
KGB Road Surface Treatments: $600,000
No. Tongass Hwy. Ward Cove to Whipple Creek widening/realign: $1.9 Million
Ketchikan Harbor Renovations: $3.93 Million

HB 528 Debt reimbursement

The Four Dam Pool Power Agency (Swan/Tyee Intertie): $20 Million
Public Safety Building (Saxman): $1.5 Million

HB 247 The Capital Budget

AHFC bonds (contained in capital budget) Sea View Terrace Renovation: 3.508 Million

In addition to the projects funded list:

• Alaska Marine Highway: $20 Million (will fully fund AMHS for FY03, the Aurora will stay in Southern Southeast and resume its scheduled runs)
• Ketchikan Little League land acquisition, buildings, maintenance, and equipment: $50,000
• Deer Mountain Eagle Center: $25,000 for plumbing, lighting, and signage
• KRBD for building repair: $25,000
• Ketchikan sidewalk improvements: $25,000
• Southeast Conference for regional intertie planning: $150,000
• Inter-Island Ferry Authority for start-up costs: $200,000
• State Parks funds $338,000 in receipt supported services (with an additional $500,000 added in the conference committee in the operating budget, all state parks in Ketchikan will remain open this year)
• Alaska Ship and Drydock-just under $1 Million added to the judgment and claims section of the capital budget going to ASD to settle the outstanding balance of the Columbia dispute
• Public Safety Building in Saxman, $1.275 in reappropriated funds (added to the $1.5 M in HB 528 brings total to $2.775 out of the $4 Million requested, balance acquired next year)
• Southeast Region Non-National Highway System Pavement and Bridge Refurbishment: In working with DOT/PF, we added $4.8 Million in federal authorization to this program to do an 'interim' project on S. Tongass (temporary job until major redo is done in Fy05) and for them to speed up work on Whipple Creek to MP 15 and Airport ferry to Ward Cove. DOT/PF must now work with the Federal Highway Administration to move these projects forward
• S. Tongass Hwy Realignment-Shoup St. East: $3.5 Million in federal authorization. Added this at the request of DOT/PF so they can speed up the refurbishment of a two-mile stretch of road around the new school sight

Source of News Release, Photo & Budget Figures:

Office of Rep. Bill Williams

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