Senate panel backs resolution supporting Port McKenzie and Northern Rail extensions

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.