Groups Release Poll on Knik Arm Bridge;
71% of Respondents Say “Spend Bridge Money Elsewhere”

A coalition of Alaskan groups today released a poll asking Alaskans how they feel about the continued use of state transportation money to fund the proposed Knik Arm Bridge project. Even in the Mat-Su Borough, 57% asked that the transportation money be spend locally instead. The poll, conducted by Anne Hays Research (www.haysresearch.com), was taken on March 10-12, and poll question and results are attached.

The 19% who wanted the state to continue to spend transportation money on the Knik Arm Bridge also were asked if their opinion would change if they knew the bridge would not decrease travel time or distance for the vast majority of those driving from the Mat-Su Borough to Anchorage. A full 75% of those respondents said that information does not change their mind about the bridge.

“This poll clearly shows that Alaskans – even in the Mat-Su Borough -- want the state to repair and upgrade existing roads rather than build the Knik Arm Bridge,” said Lois Epstein, Director of the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project. “There are lots of existing bridges to maintain and potholes to fill in Alaska, and the Knik Arm Bridge is not a high priority for Alaskans.”

“Those who want to build the bridge seem to want to do so despite the facts,” said SaraEllen Hutchison, Sustainable Communities Coordinator at Alaska Center for the Environment, referring to those who wanted to build the bridge despite the increased travel time and distance for most Mat-Su Borough residents driving to Anchorage. “What’s remarkable, however, is how strong opposition to the Knik Arm Bridge is statewide.”

“The Knik Bridge will not reduce commuting time for most Valley residents. Other less expensive alternatives like rapid transit lanes on the Glenn Highway will better serve Alaska's transportation needs,” stated Steve Cleary of AkPIRG. “Moving forward with this expensive, Murkowski-era plan to build a bridge across Knik Arm is not a wise use of state transportation dollars.”

Download: Hays Research Group Survey: Methodology and Results (MS Word Doc, 272k)

Download: Press Release, April 22nd, 2008 (MS Word Doc, 190k)