A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE STERLING HIGHWAY MILEPOST 157-169 RECONSTRUCTION - ANCHOR POINT TO BAYCREST HILL AS PART OF THE 2006-2008 STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the federal government has passed the SAFETEA-LU legislation funding the nations highway transportation needs; and

WHEREAS, the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has completed a proposed draft of State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) projects list for fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008; and

WHEREAS, the proposed draft does not include the Sterling Highway milepost 157-169 reconstruction project; and

WHEREAS, the project includes improvements from Anchor Point to Baycrest Hill; and

WHEREAS, this area includes several side road approaches that enter the highway on hills, blind curves, and narrow highway sections; and

WHEREAS, this stretch of highway has, in the past 6 years, been the cause of several traffic accidents resulting in 3 deaths and numerous serious injuries; and

WHEREAS, this stretch of highway includes a school bus stop with the loading and unloading of approximately 30 children; and

WHEREAS, this project was a 2004-2006 STIP project for which anticipated funding of $900,000 for design and $18,100,000 for right-of-way, utilities, and construction was not ultimately provided, although $23,000 has been expended in some initial design of the reconstruction; and

WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly feels strongly about the critical life, health and safety issues this project addresses and requests it be given strong consideration to be added to the proposed 2006-2008 STIP.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH:

SECTION 1. The assembly of the Kenai Peninsula Borough recommends the 2006-2008 State Transportation Improvement Program include the Sterling Highway milepost 157-169 reconstruction project.

SECTION 2. That copies of this resolution hall be provided to Governor Frank Murkowski, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Attention Alaska State Transportation Improvement Program; and all members of the Alaska Legislative delegation representing the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

SECTION 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH THIS 6TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2005.