The Knik Arm Crossing was identified as a high priority infrastructure project by the Governor of Alaska in September 2003. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and permitting was the focus of work in 2005 - 2009. Final design and construction could be completed as early as 2013.

KABATA board meetings are held regularly with meeting minutes posted online.

Looking Ahead to 2010– Our goal is to issue a Record of Decision (ROD) for the project by October 2010.  To accomplish this, the last remaining issue, endangered species consultation with NMFS needs to be completed.  Issuance of the ROD is critical for federal funded (even partially federally funded) projects to move forward towards construction.  Right-of-way acquisition, utility moves, procurement (final design and construction) cannot move forward without a ROD.  We are working diligently towards completion of this crucial milestone.

In anticipation of issuing a ROD in 2010, we are initiating work on permits the project will need.

March 2010 – Submit Biological Assessment (BA) and Letter of Authorization (LOA) to NMFS.

Verification and update of construction cost estimates for project.

Initiated coordination with Port of Anchorage for future port construction activities and FEIS selected alignment.

January/February 2010 - Worked on Biological Assessment and Letter of Authorization for March submittal.  Had a positive discussion with NMFS regarding issue identification and mitigation strategies.

Fall/ Winter 2009 – developed a more detailed bridge design to aid consultation with NMFS for the BA and LOA.  Completed a constructability review.

March 2009 – KABATA earns third consecutive Government Financial Reporting Award for excellence in financial reporting.

December 2008 – FHWA Environmental Section 106 Programmatic Agreement signed.

October 2008 – Cook Inlet Beluga whales listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

August 2008 – Knik Arm Crossing Project included in Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

May 2008 – KABATA earns Government Financial Reporting Award for excellence in financial reporting.

January 2008 – Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) published by FHWA in the Federal Regisiter.

Fall 2007 – Final Environmental Impact Statement filed with FHWA.

September 2007 – Third One-on-One Industry meetings held with P3 Proposers.

July 2007 – Second One-on-One Industry meetings held with P3 Proposers.

June 2007 – KABATA earns second consecutive Government Financial Reporting Award for excellence in financial reporting.

May 2007 –  KABATA establishes a Public-Private Partnership Task Force. First One-on-One Industry meetings held with P3 Proposers.

March 2007 – Received two Statements of Qualifications from the Knik Arm Crossing Consortium and the Knik Arm Crossing Contractors; shortlist announced. Anchorage Municipal Assembly supported the inclusion of the Knik Arm Crossing project in to the Long-Range Transportation Plan.

December 2006 – Request for Qualifications issued for P3 issued.

Winter 2006 – Permit Applications drafted, Intermediate Toll and Traffic Revenue Study finalized.

September 2006 – DEIS published by FHWA in Federal Register

June 2006 – The State Legislation (HB471) was signed into law (Chapter 60 SLA 06) by the Governor amending the KABATA Act (Amended AS 19.75). This allowed KABATA to enter into Public-Private Partnership (P3) and levy tolls. Worked with FHWA to publish the Draft EIS and hold public hearings.

January 2006 – An Industry Symposium on Public-Private Partnerships was held.

January-December 2006 – Chief Financial Officer Kevin Hemenway, and Chief Engineer Verne Geidl Joined KABATA staff. Assembled a Financial Services Advisory Team. Traffic and revenue studies, and evaluation of delivery systems continued.

December 2005 – Trilateral Agreement signed with KABATA, ADOT&PF and MAT-Su Borough regarding Point MacKenzie Road.

Fall 2005 – The Draft EIS was circulated to the public with series of public meetings in Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough.

Summer 2005 – The Draft EIS was circulated to state, federal and local resource agencies. Comments were received and responses were made by KABATA and the project team.

Spring 2005 – Agency Scoping meeting held in March in Anchorage.  Public Scoping Meetings held in April in Mat-Su Borough (Wasilla) and Anchorage.

January-December 2005 – Ongoing fieldwork continued to gather data throughout the cycle of a full year. Speaker’s Bureau efforts continued to brief and gather feedback from community and special interest groups throughout Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough.

January 2005 – NOI for EIS was published January 3, 2005 in the Federal Register by FHWA. Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Dale W. Paulson joined KABATA staff.

December 2004 – KABATA submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

top of page