Witnessing the Meltdown

For Austin residents, next time you’re sitting at one of the ½ dozen or so stop lights on US183 trying to get to / from the airport, this is something to keep in mind (my recollection is that the segment of US183 from IH35 to US71 won’t be an actual freeway (e.g. no stoplights) until about 2020, e.g. roughly 25 years after the airport began being used):

From the NY Times (registration required):

KETCHIKAN, Alaska, April 8 — Even by the standards of Alaska, the land where schemes and dreams come for new life, two bridges approved under the national highway bill passed by the House last week are monuments to the imagination.

One, here in Ketchikan, would be among the biggest in the United States: a mile long, with a top clearance of 200 feet from the water — 80 feet higher than the Brooklyn Bridge and just 20 feet short of the Golden Gate Bridge. It would connect this economically depressed, rain-soaked town of 7,845 people to an island that has about 50 residents and the area’s airport, which offers six flights a day (a few more in summer). It could cost about $200 million.

The other bridge would span an inlet for nearly two miles to tie Anchorage to a port that has a single regular tenant and almost no homes or businesses. It would cost up to $2 billion.

The Austin American-Statesman notes that:

Alaskans get nearly $7 back for every dollar they put into the fund.
Under the current House bill, not only does Texas continue putting in more gas tax money than it gets back, but the state also would be guaranteed a lower rate of return: 74 cents on the dollar. About $689 million in highway earmarks, including $35 million for Central Texas, would raise Texas’ return to 78 cents.
The bill would give Alaska $540 million in earmarks, including down payments of $120 million for the Ketchikan bridge and $200 million for the one at Anchorage.

The Alaskan Congressional delegation consists of 2 Senators and 1 House member. The Texas delegation consists of 2 Senators and 32 House members. What’s wrong with this picture?




	Witnessing the Meltdown Home Get Email Updates What I Do for a Living Email Me Admin Password Remember Me 13445 Curiosities served Share on Facebook				2004-04-11 11:46 AM Built With Steel, Perhaps, but Greased With Pork Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) For Austin residents, next time you’re sitting at one of the ½ dozen or so stop lights on US183 trying to get to / from the airport, this is something to keep in mind (my recollection is that the segment of US183 from IH35 to US71 won’t be an actual freeway (e.g. no stoplights) until about 2020, e.g. roughly 25 years after the airport began being used): From the NY Times (registration required): KETCHIKAN, Alaska, April 8 — Even by the standards of Alaska, the land where schemes and dreams come for new life, two bridges approved under the national highway bill passed by the House last week are monuments to the imagination. One, here in Ketchikan, would be among the biggest in the United States: a mile long, with a top clearance of 200 feet from the water — 80 feet higher than the Brooklyn Bridge and just 20 feet short of the Golden Gate Bridge. It would connect this economically depressed, rain-soaked town of 7,845 people to an island that has about 50 residents and the area’s airport, which offers six flights a day (a few more in summer). It could cost about $200 million. The other bridge would span an inlet for nearly two miles to tie Anchorage to a port that has a single regular tenant and almost no homes or businesses. It would cost up to $2 billion. The Austin American-Statesman notes that: Alaskans get nearly $7 back for every dollar they put into the fund. Under the current House bill, not only does Texas continue putting in more gas tax money than it gets back, but the state also would be guaranteed a lower rate of return: 74 cents on the dollar. About $689 million in highway earmarks, including $35 million for Central Texas, would raise Texas’ return to 78 cents. The bill would give Alaska $540 million in earmarks, including down payments of $120 million for the Ketchikan bridge and $200 million for the one at Anchorage. The Alaskan Congressional delegation consists of 2 Senators and 1 House member. The Texas delegation consists of 2 Senators and 32 House members. What’s wrong with this picture? Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top