Strong Support for Infrastructure Projects in Alaska

May 22, 2015

Senator Lisa Murkowski yesterday succeeded in leveraging her position on the Energy and Waters Appropriations Subcommittee to deliver resources in the 2016 funding bill that will initiate or maintain infrastructure projects in Alaska.

The appropriations bill, which passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday, will fund studies, research, port projects and energy innovations that will boost Alaska’s economy.

“Infrastructure is the circulatory system of our state, and it sustains our commerce, our culture and simply connects Alaskans to one another – and it must be a priority for our state because we are still lacking the roads, harbors and connections that states in the Lower 48 take for granted,” said Murkowski.

Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance Funding

When the appropriations bill is constructed, funding amounts are debated to get the best return on investment for worthwhile projects.

The 2016 bill includes:

$7,928,000 for Port Lions Harbor;
$11,904,000 for Port of Anchorage maintenance and dredging projects;
$3,615,000 for Chena River Lakes;
$1,231,000 for Dillingham Harbor;
$462,000 for Homer Harbor;
$180,000 for inspection of completed work in Alaska (This will likely be used for the Nome Sea Wall, Dillingham Sheet Pile, Homer Spit Rock Revetment, Skagway River Levee and other projects);
$345,000 for Ninilchik Harbor;
$1,550,000 for Nome Harbor;
$4,000,000 for St. Paul Harbor;
$700,000 for project condition surveys in Alaska (This likely includes Akutan, Bethel, Kake, Dry Pass Channel and Mekoryuk).

Corps of Engineers General Investigations Funding

Before a shovel hits the dirt or a backhoe gets delivered, the Corps of Engineers reviews proposals for projects to make sure the most cost-effective methods are used.

The 2015 funding bill includes: