Sen. Stevens (R-AK) Seeks $84 Million Experimental Ferry

[babylonsister]

:shrug: :shrug:


How ferry project, pushed by Sen. Stevens, floated
By Matt Kelley, USA TODAY


WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Stevens, who championed $452 million in federal funding for Alaska's notorious "bridges to nowhere," has directed the Navy to build an experimental ferry it once rejected to serve a little-used port in a remote area of his home state.

The high-speed ferry will connect Anchorage to Port MacKenzie in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough at an estimated cost to taxpayers of $84 million. The project follows the same route as one of the two "bridges to nowhere," which the non-partisan Taxpayers for Common Sense and others spotlighted in 2005 as examples of wasteful projects promoted by members of Congress that benefit few people.

'Bridge to nowhere:' Plans hit a dead end

The 3-mile ferry route will turn a 2½-hour drive into a 15-minute trip to Port MacKenzie, which has two businesses that employ about 40 people combined. The borough, known as Mat-Su, will own and operate the passenger-vehicle ferry and give the Navy data on its operation as a possible ship-to-shore transport vessel.

In an e-mail to USA TODAY, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) said it did not request the funding. The Navy said it rejected Lockheed Martin's proposal for a similar prototype to transport military personnel and equipment, saying the project was not a high priority.

Stevens declined to be interviewed. His spokesman, Aaron Saunders, said the deal benefits taxpayers by providing a use for a Navy prototype that otherwise might be scrapped after a year. Saunders said the ferry will bring jobs and revenue to the borough, which has about 80,000 residents.

"This is a win-win for the military and the Mat-Su valley," Saunders said.

The ferry alone is now expected to cost $58 million, the Navy statement said. That's nearly double the Navy's original $29.9 million agreement with the shipbuilder.

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-09-27-Ferry_N.htm

[Blue_In_AK]

1. There are so many rumors and stories floating around up here

about Ted it makes one's head spin. The best one I've heard is that, no matter what you may hear, he will NOT be running in 2008.

There hasn't even been much buzz yet about the fisheries deals he put together to enrich his son Ben. I think he's in it up to his eyeballs.

[babylonsister]

3. This kind of floored me, the fact that he's 'allowed' to do anything

having to do with decisions or money. I expect him to wind up in jail anyday now, or at least be stripped of anything having to do with AK legislation.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I also heard that Ted and Daniel Inouye

have some kind of shady deal going on involving some pleasure boats, but that's another story that hasn't fully broken yet. I've thought that Inouye's continued defense of Ted in light of all the questionable issues is rather unseemly for a Democrat, no matter how far back they go, or how much they've had each other's back over the year.

[babylonsister]

7. And Larry Craig (I don't see Inoye here, but just scanned it)-I read

a bit about that yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3008764

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Thanks, Sister, I missed that one.

I'm not sure if this is the same issue my husband was hearing about yesterday or not. Our progressive talk radio, which he listens to a lot during the day, is all abuzz with all kinds of sordid stories. Ted has his defenders up here, of course, but I think a lot of people's eyes are being opened.

[pinto]

2. The Senator from Alaska has some issues.

Perhaps a Senate colleague could propose a bridge to anger management for the curmudgeon.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I think the Hulk ties may have to go to the Salvation Army. n/t

[Fresh_Start]

6. Great Idea, Senator. It will save $500 million

from the budget since they can use the ferry instead of a bridge.

[Fenris]

9. Port MacKenzie isn't really that remote, is it?

The article made it seem like it was really remote.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. No, it isn't.

It's right across Knik Arm from Anchorage. Actually a second way to the Matanuska Valley probably isn't a bad idea, since there's presently only one way out of town to points north of here. The bridge was much, much too expensive a proposition IMO, but a ferry probably isn't a bad idea, assuming that it can be done without involving a lot of corruption. The Mat Valley population is currently growing faster than any other in Alaska.

Pt. McKenzie is the point of land on the left as seen from Anchorage's Earthquake Park.

[pinto]

15. Good point. Thanks for the background.

[Bucky]

10. You got to admire a man willing to go down swingin'. Is toast? Yeh, but it's pork toast, dammit.

Go get 'em, Ted! You'll bankrupt this government yet if it's the last thing you do.

[babylonsister]

11. Amazing, isn't he?! nt

[Blue_In_AK]

13. It's about to get really interesting up here.

According to our local progressive radio station, the FBI has said they currently have 26 corruption investigations going on here. Good grief.

[babylonsister]

16. Apparently there's more than two things to do

in the winter in Alaska! ;)

[NV Whino]

14. My goodness is he still around?

I thought he crawled back under the rock.