Among these was a more efficient ferry system to replace the current ferry. Despite that, and with the obvious national controversy, Palin did say they were considering other alternatives to the bridge late in her campaign. Then again, as a candidate, and not an “in”, Palin was also not in possession of budgetary specifics either. ‘We need to come to the defense of Southeast Alaska when proposals are on the table like the bridge and not allow the spinmeisters to turn this project or any other into something that’s so negative,’ Palin said.” Palin said Alaska’s congressional delegation worked hard to obtain funding for the bridge and that she ‘would not stand in the way of the progress toward that bridge’. “People across the nation struggle with the idea of building a bridge because they’ve been under these misperceptions about the bridge and the purpose,’ said Palin, who described the link as the Ketchikan area’s potential for expansion and growth. This means what she inherited was the funds which could be used for whatever the State deemed higher in priority.Īs the anti-Palin blogger, Mudracker quotes from an old 9-28-06 issue of the Ketchikan Daily News, the then campaigning Sarah Palin was not about to get in the way of the Congressional efforts. The national ridicule over the earmark, plus the release of the funds sans mandate they are used for the bridge, all happened before Sarah Palin took office. Negative publicity and public sentiment make further federal earmarks all but impossible, but the governor forges on. Alaska had the opportunity to use its share of federal transportation funds for the bridge, but instead diverted the money to other, more pressing projects, while the state legislature did not include the measure in their capital budget. Murkowski is rushing the Alaska Department of Transportation to find a contractor to begin the “Bridge to Nowhere” project before his term runs out.īut it is not clear where the additional funds will come from. In a last desperate attempt to salvage this project, Gov. Incoming Republican Governor-elect Sarah Paulin supports construction of the bridge but has neither commented on the current governor’s actions nor explained how she plans to cover the cost. From the Citizens against Govt Waste site, Nov 21, 2006:Įven though the Bridge to Nowhere has gone nowhere fast since Congress stripped it of its federal earmark, outgoing Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski (R) is still trying to keep the project alive.Īccording to the Associated Press, the lame duck governor hopes to award a $30 million contract for roadwork leading to the proposed bridge by December 1 three days before he leaves office. Ted Stevens and Rep Don Young were trying to shove the Gravina bridge project thru in his final lame duck months. ![]() Frank Murkowski (CAGW’s “Porker of the Month” for Jan 2006), plus GOPs Sen. or, as known to Alaskans… as the Gravina Island Bridge to Ketchikan’s Int’l Airport.Īnd again, it all comes down to the timeline of events, and how Sarah Palin did the fiscally responsible thing. ![]() ![]() ![]() So is it? Again, I put my nose down to track down the details on the infamous “Bridge to No Where”…. Yet already we have a few regulars and visitors regurgitating the latest Obama camp talking points… screaming flip flop. It boggles the mind the desperate Obama supporters could try to make an issue out of a Governor demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
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