[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6053950,"mediaKeyId","3342324-91c8fd3438af767083f9b4aba398c43f","parentId",3342324,"title","Senate panel backs resolution supporting Port McKenzie and Northern Rail extensions","audioSeconds",1746,"startMs",2015000,"endMs",3761000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3342324-91c8fd3438af767083f9b4aba398c43f&start=2015&end=3761","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3342324-91c8fd3438af767083f9b4aba398c43f/thumbnail_2015000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6053950/Alaska/Senate-panel-backs-resolution-supporting-Port-McKenzie-and-Northern-Rail-extensions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053950-a6cfd3a34f815aa3ba9b404a45102c19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771125046&Signature=PgdVi95APt1W3iCOZM7DCzRMiIuDDShCA8VfwCLvCv35BeyEwbhLRUfaNfv6HkiB9j2iZhPr6ZijvurEHcgJAdfkR4FpqgsAyW0LpX65KQ1E1ACc2n2-PqzyRWXf4RYF2gnkntjewXk9ECp4zoSquJ4EXKCsVQiPT5TNmDEeddwwDKVFyUuYd~CsxqFTLDEaEJF6gqGScI6rKE7V3iywMxdyrT8cWpxj1E6SIP~Xf8WUktHhe60bQSzo13FCMrpbwm28GIey11QZbFh6SM4iLXKYAwfahsTYWCDuUB440-0M0zAroSpTuUEKTiI01jMew~QYvmDBobBvkNEuYAKSlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-05-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Transportation Committee voted Thursday to report House Joint Resolution 14, a resolution urging legislative support for completion of the Port McKenzie rail extension and the Northern Rail Extension and to support related federal grant applications, sponsor Rep. Kevin McCabe said.

Representative Kevin McCabe told the committee the resolution is intended to show legislative support for projects the Alaska Railroad and local governments are pursuing as they seek federal funding and private partners. “This resolution affirms the legislature stance. Alaska is prepared and we call on our federal partners to act decisively,” McCabe said.

Witnesses from the Alaska Railroad and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough described the projects as regional infrastructure priorities. Bill O’Leary, president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Railroad, said the railroad has updated project estimates, submitted federal grant applications and is working to identify potential customers for Port McKenzie. “We believe the extent to the completion of these rail extensions will offer meaningful new transportation efficiencies in Alaska to unlock potential new opportunities in resource exports, energy solutions and project development across industries,” O’Leary said.

David Griffin, port director for Port McKenzie, said the port district covers about 9,000 acres, has a deep-water dock with roughly 60 feet at low water and a barge dock with about 20 feet at low water. He described a 32-mile Port McKenzie rail extension that would link the port to the main line near Houston and said the borough recently approved a fiscal-year 2026 appropriation that includes $6.7 million in funds (about $4.75 million federal and $2.5 million local) to construct a new barge ramp.

Alaska Railroad chief operating officer Clark Hopp, who has managed previous railroad construction projects, expressed support for both the Port McKenzie extension and the Northern Rail Extension. McCabe and witnesses said the projects could relieve truck traffic on highways, support resource development and provide additional resilience for military and emergency logistics.

Public testimony included both support and skepticism. Jack Barrett of Meritage Communities told the committee the rail extensions could create jobs and improve Alaska’s import-export balance. Anchorage resident Patrick Sharrock urged caution and said in his view the proposal was premature: “In my opinion, this $50,000,000 press proposal... is premature and not necessitated or urgent at the present time,” he said.

After discussion, Sen. Stedman moved to report HJR 14 from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note. The motion was advanced “seeing no objection,” and the chair instructed members to remain after adjournment to sign the committee report. Committee members and witnesses said they would continue work to support federal grant applications, including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, and to pursue possible private-sector partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/15/2025 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Transportation Committee reported House Joint Resolution 14 urging legislative support for Port McKenzie and Northern Rail extensions and backing federal grant applications; the committee approved reporting the resolution by unanimous consent.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6053955,"Senate committee hears bill to transfer about 85 acres of Alaska Railroad land to Whittier",1216,863000,2079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3342324-91c8fd3438af767083f9b4aba398c43f&start=863&end=2079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3342324-91c8fd3438af767083f9b4aba398c43f/thumbnail_863000.jpg","/articles/6053955/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-transfer-about-85-acres-of-Alaska-Railroad-land-to-Whittier","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053955-f18469c7ccaeecc07fc371b42a7ebf37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771125046&Signature=ePGC13aQ6b1~UVLDgg8abOoowQBp4hGhiorWa7urrIC60qeRHbGI2QYfLhLTpKrQzEDOrHvUaHTglA4oi4T~VnDWpi1BlLT0aXhXgD3iOOqKhHOSpcokdCFDL6CojRiy4TWlViw5b2gJTimUKtPKcpsq8ZLuzWwp5MDPcvPlCIEzWI5pDhcZRm3amtI2I7GO31Rl8LgABaWm02Ocgd1nCnEy4RKsvKqpestYKclJ-pbcEJxQPhwm-67zjgQsmga~9JL5m830Nt7e1n7jgqvD-~6-ChHWbfhbopjHWFzl1Qw1CiSWrNxVzyWIzj7Wl7dUV~PniOu1yICkkcRWyJHfRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Transportation held a first hearing Thursday on Senate Bill 191, a measure that would transfer approximately 85 acres of Alaska Railroad land to the city of Whittier to allow the city to build housing and improve harbor facilities, sponsor Sen. Kathy Giesel said.

The bill matters because most developable land in Whittier is railroad-owned and the Alaska Railroad cannot convey full interest in its lands without legislative approval, Giesel told the committee. “The subtitle of this bill is transfer of specified Alaska Railroad lands to the city of Whittier,” she said.

City of Whittier officials and Alaska Railroad real-estate staff told the committee the transfer would be fee simple ownership for the city while the railroad would retain control of infrastructure located on transferred parcels. Jackie Wilde, Whittier city manager, said the city has negotiated with the Alaska Railroad and is pursuing economic development tied to a recently-built cruise terminal. “We have entered into an agreement with Hoonah Totem Corporation, and they have built an $87,000,000 cruise ship terminal there,” Wilde said.

Christie Terry, vice president of real estate for the Alaska Railroad, told senators the parties have worked together for more than a year and a half and that the bill is an “essential step” to permit the city and railroad to complete the details, including environmental and cultural surveys and appraisals. In response to a committee question about value, Terry said, “In very general terms, the magnitude we're speaking regarding is in the realm of $7,000,000.”

Committee members asked whether parcels could be subdivided or carry deed restrictions once titled. Wilde said the larger residential opportunity is a roughly 39-acre parcel adjacent to Glacier Street where multifamily development would be feasible, and that deed restrictions were not raised in current negotiations: “Not on the 39 acres... I would hate to say absolutely no, but it has not been something that has been brought to my attention.”

Sen. Tobin asked whether any parcels are suspected to be contaminated or would require archaeological surveys; invited witnesses said those questions would be addressed during the follow-up work and noted past military-era uses in Whittier. Christie Terry said the railroad and city will complete any environmental or historical surveys as part of the next steps.

No formal committee action was taken on SB 191 at the hearing. Chair Bjorkman said the committee would “set this item aside for future consideration” and requested follow-up material on appraisals, deed restrictions and survey findings. Wilde told the committee there is no immediate statutory or contract deadline driving the schedule: “There's no, no urgent as in a few days type deadline.”

The bill will return to committee when staff have supplied the requested appraisals and survey information.","Senate Bill 191 would transfer roughly 85 acres of nonoperational Alaska Railroad land to the city of Whittier in fee simple to allow housing and harbor development; committee took testimony and set the bill aside for further information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate panel backs resolution supporting Port McKenzie and Northern Rail extensions

Senate committee hears bill to transfer about 85 acres of Alaska Railroad land to Whittier