State-Commissioned Study Finds Previous Juneau Road Cost Estimates
Overlooked Expensive Safety Needs

 
Anchorage, AK – A new Alaska Department of Transportation-commissioned geotechnical study on the proposed Juneau Road indicates that construction costs will be significantly higher than previous estimates for the road.  Alaska Transportation Priorities Project (ATPP) Director Lois Epstein, an Alaska-licensed engineer, today issued an analysis (attached) of the geotechnical study which concludes that costs for this portion of the road likely would be over four times previous estimates.  Golder Associates Inc., an engineering consulting firm, finalized its study in December 2006 and ADOT made it available to the public this week on its website.

The Golder study identifies numerous rockfall areas and other hazards along the 22 miles of the proposed route south of the Katzehin River.  The Katzehin is approximately 80 miles north of Juneau and is where the proposed Juneau Road would end at a ferry terminal for travel to Skagway or Haines.  The hazards identified in the Golder study would endanger both construction workers and future road travelers.  To lessen these hazards, the Golder study recommends construction of costly structures including retaining walls, tunnels, and roofed snow sheds. 

Some areas along the proposed route were so difficult or remote that Golder employees could not access them.  As a result, additional road design and construction changes may be identified in the future along this 22 mile stretch of road.

According to ATPP Director Epstein, “Previous Juneau Road studies were not as specific as this investigation so earlier cost estimates do not incorporate these geotechnical findings.  The Golder Associates study clearly indicates significantly increased Juneau Road costs.”  As an example, Epstein notes that the Federal Highway Administration Record of Decision (which allows federal permitting to be pursued for the proposed road) states that the road would not need any tunnels, contrary to what Golder found.  Additionally, Golder’s study was unable to determine how to protect the Gran Point sea lion haulout, indicating that there is at least one costly and extremely complex road design location along the proposed route.  Epstein called this location a “potential show-stopper.”

Download: Press Release, February 8th, 2007 (MS Word, 200k)

Download: ATTP Report Analysis (MS Word, 200k)