| Comments 61-74 - September 16-17, 2003 |
| 61 | I support the construction of the Abbott Loop Extension project. As a resident of southeast Anchorage living east of Abbott Loop Road and north of Abbott Road, I realize there will be an increase in traffic with the connection of Abbott Loop Road to Bragaw Street at Tudor Road. However, the benefit to me of having a connection to Tudor Road from Abbott Road other than Lake Otis make this an acceptable alternative. Additionally, I support the Dowling Extension but would prefer to see that connection after the Abbott Loop Extension is built. I am concerned that a very vocal minority (as was at the meeting last night) will drive, or possibly derail, the project. It is unfortunate that when people support a project such as this they typically keep their support quite, and unfortunately these people were not heard last night. There is a benefit to Anchorage of the construction of Abbott Loop Extension that supersedes that of this vocal minority of residents and park users. Additionally, I would rather have a safe road in the winter and at night (have street lights) than worry about whether I would lose sight of the Northern Lights, and be able to turn at the neighborhood side streets (have turn lanes or a three-lane roadway) than keep the existing road section just for the sake of keeping it. I support the roadway scenario that gives us the biggest bang for our buck. |
| 62 | My first concern is the impact on the wetlands, which is a source of overflow to the west of where the designated road is intended to be. The homes that back to these wetlands already see Campbell Creek flow over close to their homes with the ebbs and tides of the ebbs and tides of the winter thaws and freezes. Some homes have experienced flooding in the basements already. What considerations are being given regarding the increased flood possibility which may affect the economy of these families and homeowners? This area is a great corridor for wildlife from bears, moose, lynx, coyotes and wolves, to mention the larger animals. Moose calve in this area and there is a wide array of birds that migrate to the wetland area. What assurances are there that there will be as little impact on the wildlife as possible? Will there be tunnels for the animals to pass through to prevent accidents for motorists and animals alike? This area of wetlands is also an annual rutting area, I believe a type of “blueberry hill”. Also, what impact will this have on the salmon and trout that spawn in Campbell Creek? Will this open the areas on either side of the road to further building or expansion of progress such as grocery stores, etc. or homes? This would greatly impact the equity in the homes in the area as well as increase the crime rate. Since the schools are in such great need, why is this money not spent on the children, or once again, are they the last ones considered? I can only hope that all of these concerns will have been looked at thoroughly prior to damage is done that cannot be undone. While I realize the money for this project and was approved by the voters, let’s remember that there were several other projects and money encapsulated into one bill which may or may not have contributed to the passing of the referendum. I do not oppose growth and change as long as all sides have been thoroughly considered with responsible accountability for the use of resources by all parties. |
| 63 | 1st
statement, 9/16/03: Kasuun’s gym was full and the sign-in sheets
were turned over for people to use the backs. But not one Assembly member
or legislator was present. While Heather Rauch represented the Mayor,
and Craig Lyon was there from AMATS, elected officials were noticeably
absent. And I recognized no reporters in the crowd. Most complaints focused
on “improving” Abbott Loop south of the park and more than tripling
the traffic there. The East Anchorage Study of Transportation says Abbott
Loop will go from 3,000 cars a day now to 11,000 in 2023. One fellow explained
he left Lake Otis to get into a quiet neighborhood, and now traffic was
catching up with him. Where should he go next? When someone asked whether
engineers studied how to add transit to keep down traffic growth the response
was: Engineers talked with People Mover about taking one of the (two)
buses that serve Lake Otis and diverting it to Abbott Loop. Improved transit
service is clearly not on the engineer’s radar screen. People realized
early on that the prize road builders are reaching for is the connection
between Dowling and Tudor through the park, at Bragaw and/or, Boniface.
But for some reason, the bond package is written specifically to fund
the Bragaw extension, 48th to Abbott Road. Road builders said they would
research their options for flexibility in spending the bond money. The
bonds have already been sold, and must be spent within five years. After
connecting to Tudor, Dowling is projected to go from 3,000 cars to 41,000
cars in the little neighborhood east of Lake Otis. Where Dowling reaches
Lake Otis, vehicles go from 19,000 today to 66,000 in 2023. And that’s
just on the roads around the park. East says traffic going into U-Med
on Providence Drive will go from 11,000 to 32,000. And the freeway they
want to build through Fairview takes traffic there from 28,000 to 48,000
vehicles a day. At Chester Creek, the count goes to 86,000 per day. Mountain
View goes from 53,000 cars to 83,000 with the Glenn and the new 3rd Avenue
bypass. All this in a time when the state says they will not pay the ten
percent match for new road construction. Therefore, building the roads
that top AMATS’ list will cost Anchorage’s general fund an additional
$3 million (when the general fund deficit is already at $30 million.)
On the other hand, $3 million would pay for nine new bus routes that could
go a long way towards heading off this mess that road builders are predicting.
If they wanted, Alaska’s congressional delegation could help us shift
road construction money towards transit. All these issues need to be addressed
in Anchorage’s Long Range Transportation Plan. The question is how
and when? 2nd Statement, 10/14/03: * If roads south of Abbott Loop Road can't be connected, where will the traffic come from to warrant the Bragaw Extension and the Abbott Loop "improvement"? * Where are the cars coming from and going to through Lake Otis and Tudor? * What effects will this road have on other major arterials and neighborhoods in Anchorage? * How will this road affect neighborhoods beyond East Anchorage? * How will this road affect neighborhoods west of the Seward Highway? * Where will all these new cars park, and what impact will it have on those locations? D. How does this project relate to Anchorage's comprehensive plan goals to protect neighborhoods and parks, develop an efficient transportation system and reduce reliance on the automobile?* What level of transit service is needed to lure a significant number of those projected drivers from their cars to eliminate the need for this road? * What are the future land use development patterns that generate the traffic described in the East Anchorage Study of Transportation? * How much will this project add to the state or municipal operation and maintenance burden in these times of shrinking government resources? * Where do planners expect to bridge across the creeks and wetlands, and how long a bridge or bridges do they estimate? * Where and when will the municipality's waterline be constructed, and how will it affect this project?Thank you for considering our comments as you scope the environmental assessment for the Bragaw/Abbott Loop Extension. Please add the following to Anchorage Citizens Coalition's scooping comments for the Bragaw Extension:What are the costs, impacts and benefits of improving the Lake Otis and Tudor intersection as an alternative to building the Bragaw Extension? |
| 64 | Phone message: She drives the road every day. The road has dips in it with deep ditches around the narrow and dark and needs repairs. The existing road should be upgraded to a 4 lane with car pullouts. Strongly supports putting the road in. |
| 65 | We have lived in East Anchorage for 12 years and I can see the benefit now of the road extension. It is very frustrating to have to go so far out of the way to get to the hillside area of Abbott Loop. I do understand the environmental impact and the concerns. We have to plan wisely with all this in mind. It can be done and I think it is only a matter of time. If we had never built roads etc because of the environmental concerns we see here Anchorage would not exist. But now that we are here and we are getting bigger and more populated we have to do what we can to make it livable AND protect the wetlands the best we can. |
| 66 | Waste of money!! You really want to relive congestion try mass transit solutions. This is no more than a land grab. |
| 67 | I can predict the impact the public that is opposed to the dissection of our Bicentennial Park will have on the design of this project by the actions and words of the State project leaders. The impact will be NIL. First the attempt to disguise this project that has always been called the Bragaw Extension by naming it the Abbot Loop Extension. Secondly the comment made to KTUU by Mr O'Brien the DOT spokesman that a 67% yes vote on a 121 million state wide bond (that this project is but a small portion) means that DOT has the mandate of the people. This is not true. Bias by the project leaders is a poor why to start the public process. Is the public process just window dressing? |
| 68 | I am glad to see this extension going forward. Just as the growth of our city moves forward so must our views on making our city more efficient and safer to live in. This road will let ambulances and fire apparatus move around the city in a more timely manner. We must not let the not in my backyard mentality ruin a sound idea. This city will continue to grow and we must allow the city infrastructure to grow with it. |
| 69 | Please keep me informed. |
| 70 | I caught the website on the news last night, but really appreciate your reply. I think it is an outstanding way to make information available. |
| 71 | We appreciated the invitation to the Scoping Meeting for subject project on September 15, 2003 and encourage your project team to keep us informed of the environmental and design process since Chugach is concerned about the effects the road project may have on the existing 138 kV transmission line along this corridor. Electrical clearance issues and construction impacts need to be addressed early in the design phase to allow adequate time for changes to the road designs and/or relocation of the transmission lines. We understand that placing the transmission line(s) underground may be considered and would like to take this opportunity to voice our objection to such plans. System reliability and integrity heavily depend on the transmission lines. The northern section carries four circuits that connect two major supply substations in the Anchorage bowl and connect distribution substations serving over 10,000 customers. The single transmission circuit along Abbott Loop Road will soon be part of a vital transportation loop through south Anchorage assuring adequate power supply in that area. Placing these lines underground would be very costly and would also place a burden on Chugach’s consumers through lower life expectancy of the underground facilities, higher repair costs and longer outage times. We trust our concerns will be taken into consideration in the project development and are prepared to assist in solving conflicts early on. |
| 72 | I am in favor of extending Bragaw through to Abbott- and continuing Bragaw on to Rabbit Creek. Bragaw should also be extended north through the University District. Are there any plans to do this? I have to drive from near Service HS over to the intersection of Bragaw and the Glenn Hwy every day. Because the Lake Otis/Tudor intersection is a total mess I usually drive the New Seward Highway. That often creeps along in the morning at 25 miles an hour. The Bragaw intersection is going to dump a bunch of traffic on Providence Drive and whatever the road is that connects Providence Drive to Northern Lights. Bragaw should run from the Glenn Hwy to Rabbit Creek Drive. Otherwise, the city will not be maximizing the benefit it could get from these disparate road projects. |
| 73 | Consider widening Abbott Rd and placing sound barrier fencing alongside it prior to beginning the Abbott Loop Ext construction. The Ext Project will increase the already out of control volume of traffic along Abbott Rd. The area in front of Service High School is a traffic nightmare and a constant safety hazard. Both road projects are long over due. If possible please publish the annual statistics for traffic accidents in the Abbott Rd area. These stats could be improved dramatically with some road upgrades. |
| 74 | I have 2 comments: 1. I've just completed the survey and the map did not 'open'. I am very familiar with the area so I could answer most questions. The one's I left blank either require more explanation before I could respond or I did not like either choice. (I am not a proponent of surveys they can be skewed to meet whatever response the surveyor is looking for.) 2. I am in support of this project however I do think it is critical that the Dowling Extension to Abbott Loop Rd be incorporated into this project or both projects run simultaneously. I would like to see Abbott Loop Rd remain a residential road and not be developed into a major thoroughfare. |
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