Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Friday unanimously passed House Bill 12, sponsored by Representative Jeannette James (R-North Pole). HB 12 reauthorizes the identification of a corridor for the extension of the Alaska Railroad to the Canadian border and allows eventual funding from any source, private or public.

"Both the Canadian and Russian governments, as well as our own, are increasingly interested in a U.S.-Asian rail link through Alaska," said Representative James. "We need to have this authorization on the books so we aren't scrambling for it when project funds become available."

A corridor connecting the Alaska Railroad with the Canadian border was delineated by statute in 1982 and an application was made to the Bureau of Land Management. A 1995 study reached a cost estimate of over $6 billion to acquire a right-of-way. In 1996 the Federal Department of Transportation withdrew the 1982 application to the BLM due to "lack of interest."

"This DOT action, citing 'lack of interest,' came despite the legislation I sponsored in 1994 which appropriated $10,000 for the cost estimate study," said James. "HB 12, which passed today, reauthorizes the corridor, updates the 1982 statute, and makes it evident that there is certainly no 'lack of interest' in Alaska for this project.

"The advantages to Alaska are obvious," James said. "Resource development and job opportunities for all areas of Alaska, but with controlled access and without the expensive maintenance problems of other transportation modes."

HB 12 now moves to the Senate.