Mat-Su picks a pricier road route over its advisors and landowners

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly picked the more expensive of two routes for a new road between Engstrom and Trunk roads Tuesday, overriding every advisory body that weighed in and the landowners who say they won't sell.

The chosen northern route is estimated at $21 million to $31 million. The southern alternative would have cost about $9 million to $10 million. Two community councils, the Planning Commission and two road service area boards had all recommended the cheaper southern route. Voters approved just $2.5 million for the project in 2021, and no funding has been identified for either option.

Public Works Director Tom Adams argued the northern route builds the better long-term road network. But the borough chose it without ever setting foot on the ground, Assembly member Stephanie Nowers pointed out, "because the landowners have not allowed us on their property." Those owners told the assembly they will not sell right-of-way, which leaves eminent domain as the likely path if the route proceeds.

The vote itself wobbled. The motion failed on the first try, then passed after a motion to reconsider, with Nowers and members Bernier and Bowles opposed.

Adams said the design milestones, and any decision to take land by eminent domain, will come back to the assembly.