They're BUILDING the "bridge to nowhere"!

[johnaries]

Just heard on CNN - although Congress decided not to fund the bridge, they still gave the money to Alaska to "use as they please".

The AK governor announced they are using the money for the bridge.

[havocmom]

1. Doesn't Stevens' son live on that island with 49 other people?

Nice little driveway for your boy, there Ted.

[donheld]

5. Maybe with a little global warming

This island will cease to exist.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. No, that's not right...

Don Young's son-in-law has an interest in property on the other side of the "other" bridge to nowhere, which really isn't to nowhere at all but to the Matanuska-Susitna Valley on the other side of Knik Arm from Anchorage. This area has the fastest growing population in Alaska. The bridge would provide a second way to get to the Valley from here. I don't think that people fully understand that Anchorage, a city of over 250,000, has only TWO ways out of town, one south and one north. A third option wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Now, the other bridge from Ketchikan (Southeast Alaska) to Gravina Island is another matter. Ketchikan for some reason built their airport on the island and the only way to get there is by ferry. Coincidentally, however, I do believe that the Murkowskis own some property on the island which would probably increase in value if the bridge is built.

Anyway, just points of clarification. I'm not really in favor of either of these bridges, but the one up here in Anchorage really isn't as much of a hare-brained idea as it's been painted to Outsiders. I personally think that our highways and other infrastructure could put the money to better use. Or they could use some of it to help out the villages in Western Alaska that are falling into the ocean due to the terrible erosion.

Just a small request -- I know Ted Stevens is a jerk, and it's really easy to make fun of Alaska, but please don't do it unless you've been here and know the facts.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. So it really isn't a bridge to nowhere?

[Blue_In_AK]

11. No, not really...

My issues with it are that it's going to cost a ton of money, and I worry about the stability as we have very strong and high tides up here, plus this is earthquake country, but it would definitely give Anchorage some growing room. We are in a bowl, mountains on two sides, Cook Inlet and Knik Arm on the other two, and we're kind of boxed in. If the bridge were built it would open up a lot of land on the other side that takes an hour or so to get to otherwise. With the bridge you could get over there in just a few minutes. But like I said, I myself am not totally in favor of it. I've been here for 30 years and I'm used to the view sans bridge.

[Ezlivin]

10. I know why you are "Blue_In_AK"

As a Florida-raised boy, I'd be blue too if I were living up there. Brrrrr.

I think Alaska is the last frontier and the men and women who live there do so, largely, in the old frontier spirit.

Peace out.

[Blue_In_AK]

13. The weather's really not so bad here in Anchorage...

Right now it's 33 and snowing, and it's absolutely beautiful. We seldom go below zero anymore (global warming). Usually, this time of year it's in the 20s, not bad at all. Better than the midwest or northeast.

[stevedeshazer]

12. Well said.

There are many preconceived notions about Alaska that are not true.

Ted Stevens being a jerk is not one of them, LOL.

[Blue_In_AK]

15. Couldn't agree with you more about Ted...

He has done a lot for Alaska, no doubt, but this ANWR thing has really addled his brain. He's very old, and I wish he'd just come home, kick back with his grandkids and let somebody else have a shot at being our senator (hopefully a Democrat).

[havocmom]

16. I did ask a question. Thanks for answering that I had been misinformed

by news reports quoted on DU

Please don't jam your boot down my throat when I ask a question. Thanks so much.

[Blue_In_AK]

18. Sorry, Havocmom...

I didn't mean to jam a boot down your throat. :hug: I just get a little sensitive about the Alaska bashing because I passionately love my state, with all its eccentricities (and believe me, we have more than enough eccentricities to go around). I keep explaining this thing about the bridges, but nevertheless it keeps coming up, I guess because it's impossible to read all the posts all the time...so if I came down on you a little hard, I apologize. Alaska has issues unlike any other state, so I guess it's hard for the people Outside to "get it."

And my last statement was not directed at you personally, but to everybody on this thread.

[havocmom]

20. LOL, Hey, I'm in Montana, so I know the fun of mass held assumptions

And my pal from Alaska says it's really cold in Montana ;)

[Warpy]

17. Dunno who lives there, but you can bet a developer

owns most of it and has a plan in the works for some sort of tourist trap or even high end vacation timeshare destination.

[MichiganVote]

2. Be a good thing to have fail

[shenmue]

3. Oh for pity's sake

These bastards.

:grr:

:nuke:

:puke:

[Straight Shooter]

4. They didn't fund the bridge, but Alaska can use the funds "as they please"

How about building a raft, putting Stevens on it with survival supplies, and setting it adrift in the ocean. I think that's a good use for those funds.

[reichstag911]

6. Except for the survival supplies part. n/t

[0rganism]

7. they might even have some leftover if they don't overspend on the raft

or the survival supplies, for that matter. How many handouts does a rugged individualist like Stephens really need from the gov't, anyway? He can probably survive just fine with a rubber canoe and a fishing rod.

And we should get some return on this investment. Let's commission him with charting the currents in the Northern Passage (coming soon to a melting icecap near you).

[Lefty48197]

14. No blood on Congress' hands. It's Alaska's fault.

The spineless weenies in Congress didn't want to be accused of funding the multi million dollar bridge to nowhere, so they just gave the money to Alaska and let "them" decide what to do with it.

[ochazuke]

19. Federal money for state projects

Doesn't that entail public hearings and comments, in addition to environmental impact statements and etc.?

There should be an ongoing fight over those pork barrel projects so long as there are upstanding citizens to, well, stand up. :D