Juneau -- District A residents will once again have to live around construction projects as the Alaska Legislature passed out it's capitol budget for the coming fiscal year. Combined with the bond package bill and matches, projects from Sitka to Hyder will add more than $60 million to the local economy.

Senator Robin Taylor said, " It took a lot of extra work this year to bring the money home. We had to convince the finance leadership in both houses that these projects and the jobs they bring are critical to the continued economic stability of the district. We didn't get everything we wanted but neither did any other lawmaker." District A will see an additional $14 plus million for harbors and another $1.1 million for schools as a result of the bonding package outlined in HB-281.

Transportation projects lead the list as the big money items with more than $39.7 million for area harbors. Ketchikan, Sitka and Hyder will divy up $21.5 for aviation needs. More than $11 million is coming our way for highway, water and sewer. Ferry terminal upgrades round out the big ticket items with $9.6 million.

In addition to the specific funds, Ketchikan shipyard will have some projects to bid on. The Alaska Marine Highway System has funding of more than $10 million for upgrades and repairs to the ferries.

Taylor says, " I appreciate the help both members of the house provided in accomplishing this amount for capitol projects. Representatives Bill Williams and Ben Grussendorf made it a true team effort.

Attachments:

• List of District A Capitol Projects
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 5 K
  

| Top | Senator Taylor's Page |