Mat-Su Assembly picks costlier northern route for Engstrom-Trunk road

Assembly picks costlier northern route for Engstrom-Trunk road, over landowners' objections

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly chose the costlier of two routes for a new road between Engstrom and Trunk roads Tuesday, over the objections of landowners who testified they will not sell right-of-way.

Members adopted the resolution selecting Northern Route 1, estimated at $21 million to $31 million. The southern alignment is estimated at about $9 million to $10 million. Voters approved $2.5 million for it in November 2021.

Public Works Director Tom Adams told the assembly the northern route delivers the better long-term transportation network. Two community councils, the Planning Commission and two road service area boards had recommended the southern route.

Assembly member Stephanie Nowers said the borough picked a route "without boots on the ground because the landowners have not allowed us on their property."

The main motion first failed, then passed after a successful motion to reconsider. "It passed with Assemblymember Bernier, Bowles, and Nowers opposed," the clerk reported.

No funding source is identified for either alignment. Adams said design milestones and any eminent domain decision return to the assembly.