US

Forget the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ — This is Alaska’s $64 Million ‘Runway for No One’

Almost everyone has heard about Alaska’s now infamous “bridge to nowhere” — the $400 million project mocked as a model of government waste that was supposed to connect Ketchikan to its airport on the sparsely-populated Gravina Island. Well now it has a rival, again in Alaska, called the “runway for no one.”

In short, officials are spending $64 million on a runway on an uninhabited island between the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In fact, in order to get to and from the runway, nearby residents of Akutan will have to take a helicopter or a hovercraft — a mode of transportation that could be problematic in the rough waters.

Alaska Airport Project Dubbed Runway for No One

The projected hovercraft route. (Graphic: CNN and the Alaska Dept. of Transportation)

The Alaska Dispatch reports:

By next winter the small village in Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain will have a new runway, long enough to handle planes carrying nearly 40 passengers. But the community won’t have easy access to the $64 million airport. The runway itself won’t be on the same island as the village, but six miles away across a windswept and turbulent strait fed in part by the notoriously rough Bering Sea.

And therein lies the problem: figuring out how residents and seasonal workers will get to the airport. A $13 million plan for a hovercraft to shuttle passengers from the airstrip to the community and back may not work, leaving local leaders in search of a solution. Now, they may need a helicopter. If they don’t find a fix by next summer, they could have a $64 million airstrip in the middle of nowhere.

According to CNN, the bill for the 4,500-foot-long runway will be paid for by $59 million in federal and $5 million in state funds.

So why is it needed? CNN explains:

Should officials get it all figured out and funded, who’ll benefit? Akutan has a year-round population of 100, but that spikes to about 1,000 in the summer when Trident Seafoods processing plant, the largest seafood processing plant in North America, is in operation, the Dispatch reports. Trident is contributing $1 million to the project, the Dispatch says.

And why is this necessary? Air service to Akutan is now provided by World War II-era amphibious aircraft operated by Peninsula Airways. Those are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, Peninsula Vice President Brian Carricaburu told the Dispatch.

Carricaburu also says the runway could cut the government’s costs in one way. Peninsula Airways routes to Akutan are now subsidized by about $700,000 annually under the federal Essential Air Service program. Using bigger, more efficient aircraft could bring that cost down, he told the Dispatch.

Government waste or necessary spending? You decide. Either way, the name is catchy.

Comments (111)

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  • PApeacemaker
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:32am

    I declare bull crap! So we the tax payers of the rest of the USA have to pay for 1,000 people to get to work. Really Really? I smell a pay off or a political bribe, who is building this airport/airstrip? Do they have ties to the Alaskan G’ment? I say to heck with this village in the middle of nowhere heres an idea how about you move closer to civilization if you want the modern comforts. Why should we the Fed. Tax payers pay ridiculous amounts of money to serve 100-1000 people? There plenty of more places that are wayyyy more inhabited that need that money like the whole eastern sea board that just got flooded out by the hurricanes. How about if we spend money we spend it wisely which I know is hard for the US government since its corrupt to the core.

    Report Post » PApeacemaker  
    • DogTags
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:49am

      As an Alaskan this stuff ticks me off. Alaskans are duplicitous. They claim they are so very independent and yet they benefit and even actively seek federal government handouts like this. This stupidity is not Palin’s fault. It’s liberal Senators like Murkowski, Begich, Stevens’ fault. Alaskans as independent and self-sufficient? What a joke.

      Report Post »  
    • ReddenBlack
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:01pm

      You must be joking!! A story of Government wast and stupidity from the same state that brought us Sarah Palin and Ted Stevens?!?! No way!!

      Next you’ll probably tell me Larry Craig is gay….

      Report Post » ReddenBlack  
    • mad_hatter
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:23pm

      DogTags is right. I am also an Alaskan and this is because this conservative state is becoming more liberal because the majority is silent… Well not any more… The most liberal city in Alaska is now going conservative with the development of the Juneau Tea Party. We are just starting up but we have some influential people in the government that will be working on things like this.

      This is happening all over the country and that is why we need someone that knows about the economy, someone like Herman Cain, or Mitt Romney.

      Romney is looking better everyday… especially after an interview with Sean Hannity yesterday, you have to hear this one. Listen to him talk about his 800+ vetos and $5 billion budget turn around, quite impressive. http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/sep/romney_budget_veto.html

      I think Cain would also be this impressive.

      Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:45pm

      Unbelievable. And when do we find out about this stuff? After it’s too late of course.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Archtard
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 1:13pm

      This article, along with many others posted on the blaze, leaves out key details. Such as why the air strip is not being built on the island the village is located on. Does the company or workers pay transportation fees, and do the fees go towards maintenance costs of aircraft and runways? In addition do people realize that nearly every airport and most airlines recieve huge subsidies from the government which keeps our air travel costs down? Who pays for the roads we use to get to work?

      What was said about throwing stones while living in a glass house?

      Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 1:24pm

      Murkowski managed to (probably) cheat her way back into office, but if she didn’t, shame on the people who voted for her. Their taxes should go up for being stupid and voting for her.

      Report Post »  
    • woodyb
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 3:05pm

      @ ARCHTARD –

      Throwing stones while in a glass house is a GOOD THING when the glass house has no doors or other openings and is rapidly filling with poisonous gas as is our ‘Hope and Change’ government!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • schroeder123
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 4:06pm

      Did you know Alaska’s largest employer or income….is The United States Government.?

      Report Post » schroeder123  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 4:07pm

      @PApeacemaker
      “I declare bull crap!”
      “And why is this necessary? Air service to Akutan is now provided by World War II-era amphibious aircraft operated by Peninsula Airways”
      Where are these aircraft landing now? Instead of this liberal bull crap spending (Sarah, Alaska is missing you), why doesn’t this Peninsula Airways get new aircraft? Is this company owned or run by either family or a close friend of the liberals running Alaska now? I would bet so.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • IntransigentMind
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 5:02pm

      Well remember, when Murkowski won, she came in and brought back all the cronies Palin had kicked out during her administration.

      Report Post »  
    • Dataman999
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 6:12pm

      Servant Of YHVH says:
      “And why is this necessary? Air service to Akutan is now provided by World War II-era amphibious aircraft operated by Peninsula Airways”
      Where are these aircraft landing now?

      Cognitive reading is is a skill to be developed. amphibious = landing on water or land.

      Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 3:50am

      It may sound crazy, but this is infrastructure that will be used once they begin construction on and complete either a tunnel or a bridge across the Straits. And they are going to do that. Sooner, or later. And you and I are going to fund it. Like it or not.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • gracentruth
      Posted on October 1, 2011 at 12:06am

      Dogtags, you are absolutely correct. And all those fakes were elected with that machinery that can be hacked for a few dollars worth of instrumentation + tribal leaders who “vote” for their members. True the vote!! Yes, I live in Alaska and have seen it firsthand.

      Report Post » gracentruth  
  • westwood
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:31am

    I can see it, first the topography of where the population is can’t support an airport. Plus there the waterways are the freeways. It’s closer to them than any airport near me. On the west coast an area that could support a runway and flyable aproaches isn’t easy to find. Check out the City of Prince Rupert on B.C.’s west coast, a large city with a lot of infrastructer but the airport is on an island a 20 minute ferry ride away.

    Report Post »  
    • riverdog1
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:59am

      love it when republicans spend money like crazy and you all call the liberals. very very funny.

      Report Post »  
    • Knight Templar
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Well, some Republicans are liberals too. We think they are doubly stupid.

      Report Post »  
    • mach37
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 8:55pm

      At last, a thinking person’s comment. WESTWOOD is the first one to really consider the alternatives in a reasoned manner.

      Report Post »  
  • Angry_Bird
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:29am

    Why not move Solyndra and all the other solar tax money grabbing loser start ups to this island and have a year round population that can support an air strip? A trillion in Obama money would build a nice little town.

    Report Post » Angry_Bird  
  • SREGN
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:26am

    It’s obvious from the contour lines on the map that the harbor area is too steep for an airfield, and the flatter airfield area has no harbor. A harbor is needed for the fishing fleet.

    Report Post »  
    • Hephzibah
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:39pm

      There ya go, being logical again. I’m thinking maybe we down here in the lower 48 might not be able to imagine the geographical differences and challenges there are in Alaska. Not taking sides, just admitting we can’t know all the issues they face.

      Report Post » Hephzibah  
    • SREGN
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 1:37pm

      Sorry Heph, I can’t help it. I’m a victim of CLD, or Compulsive Logic Disorder. I can’t help but think logically. It’s kept me out of careers in government, public education, labor relations, and journalism. If you’re moved by pity at my plight, please go to the CLD website and contribute. You won’t be alone. Major contributors such as Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Cynthia McKinney, Al Gore, and CAIR have made a major commitment to eradicate logical thought in our lifetime. Give with your heart, not your head.

      Report Post »  
    • mach37
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:02pm

      SREGN, please give an URL for the CLD website; Google fails to give me one in two pages of searches.

      Report Post »  
  • Yama
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:25am

    Wouldn’t it be cheaper to move the fish processing plant?

    Report Post »  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:22am

    bhelmet
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:46am
    That damn Sarah Palin!

    bhelmet;
    Hope that was supposed to be a joke. She‘s no longer Alaska’s Gov.

    Report Post »  
  • Theswerd
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:21am

    Well, to be fair, if you look at the topography, that is really the only viable place *for* an airstrip. Now, I would look at newer amphibious aircraft, personally. I can‘t imagine that hasn’t been looked at, however. As to moving the whole village, well… you know how some people get about what makes there home a home. Many people would few a move like that as an offense against them. I say that so long as the food company will pay for the transportation, cool beans. Hey, maybe see if THEY can spring for some or most of this project.

    Report Post » Theswerd  
  • RodT82721
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:20am

    I wonder which politician owns some share of Trident? Or has been rewarded for ‘fixing’ this travel problem.
    How long has the packing plant been in operation without the air port? How have they managed to operate without some of my tax money?
    I would think if Trident wants an air strip they should build it, leave me out of it.
    I’ll bet those 100 Aleutians have been getting by a long time without it, maybe they should buy a boat!

    Report Post »  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:20am

    No, no government could be this dumb! Perhaps the one elected by Alaskans would be this stupid to stop a bridge to nowhere without looking any future projects bsed on the completion of that bridge to nowhere. As Obama said along with jeff immelt, the CEO/Jobs coordinator of Obama jobs plan, who paid no inciome taxes on $14,000,000,000 profits-that Jeff Immelt”-I guess the shovel ready jobs weren’t so shovel ready”-as Obama and he laughed at the wasted stimulus dollars. The only joke was on the American taxpayer whom these two charlatans ripped off at our expense.You elected him, not me!

    Report Post »  
  • grandmaclown
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:19am

    When is the stupid spending going to stop? I guess when we can vote all of the crazies who vote for garbage like this out.

    Report Post »  
  • Junter
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:17am

    wasteful.

    Report Post »  
  • kindling
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:14am

    They could just split that money up between the families and they could each buy their own plane that can land on water. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!

    Report Post » kindling  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:10am

    Alaska comes in second to Pennsylvania’s airport for no one. The John Murtha airport receives federal funds every year and is used by three people a day.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • WithOutGodWePerishAsARepublic
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:09am

    Hey a few months ago they just poured some asphalt on the street north of mine (about a two and half block stretch)…ran over it with a Road Roller … but, according to Recovery Act info, the cost about $ 1.3 million ??? I think the big annoying sign (indicating it was from the Recovery Act) they stuck there- probably cost $1.29 million …he he he !!!

    Report Post »  
  • mjhoman
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:07am

    This is a good example of no one wanting to fix what is broken, but continue to dig everyone in deeper. I think it is obvious, heads of states, as well as our government are deliberately spending us into broke, that is why nothing they do works… it was not intented to work in the first place, but cause more problems. If it is not simply a matter of liberals with an agenda to change our system, then it is communist and others in our organizations trying desperately to take us down economically. And when you see the scope of this, that no one is standing up in high places and demanding investigations, or criminal charges, it makes it all the more unsettling. The NASA space program was to expensive, yet we can do things like this?

    Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:20am

      The key element in these government projects is the project itself. Like the two drunks that agree when the first one dies the other will pour a pint of the finest scotch whiskey on his grave. When that time came the other showed up after the funeral and proceeded to whizz on his grave and said, “I didn’t think you would mind if I filtered it through me kidneys first” Government projects are filtered through the politicians you know before anything is ever done. What‘s actually done doesn’t matter it’s the journey.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • BenInNY
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:07am

    I‘ve got to be missing the explanation why it can’t be on the same island as the destination. Read it twice now, too.

    Report Post » BenInNY  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:28am

      Beninny
      I am with you. I have read and re-read. This makes absolutely no sense. Just think how many
      good things could have been done with this money. It the Government doesn’t get someone
      to oversee things like this we will continue to pay into oblivion. I jjust don’t see how things like
      this can happen. And how do we continue to pay SS to dead people. I know there is someone
      that can design software to prevent these things from happening.

      Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:50am

      Maybe a good friend had some land to sell and someone had a favor to pay for. That’s how it works.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • SLARTIBARTFAST
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:13pm

      The harbor is on the base of a mountain and you can’t build runways on mountains. Thc closest land suitable for a runway is six miles away across the water, with no harbor. Pretty simple. What you’re not taking into account is that the airport will continue generating landing fees for decades to come. The fishing village will not die along with their WWII airplanes (see Grumman Goose and the like). The fishing industry there will likely grow and you’ll continue to get to go to Crab-Fest at Red Lobster. The people working there will pay taxes on some very good wages, paid for by you going to Crab-Fest at Red Lobster. The businesses will pay taxes.
      Don’t forget the part about the government coming in and moving you, the Inuit, from the place where your family has probably lived for hundreds of years. The Inuit can fish and forage for themselves quite well; it’s us who wants the seafood (see:Crab-Fest at Red Lobster.)
      The Chicoms and the Japanese make decisions based on long-term goals, and we should too. Think about some of these things before complaining about EVERYTHING. There’s plenty of things to complain aboutm, but I’m going to give this one the benefit of the doubt.

      Report Post » SLARTIBARTFAST  
    • artbrownsr
      Posted on November 5, 2011 at 11:39am

      The town of Akutan is on an island that is mountain sloping into the fjord, The land that is flat enough to put an airstrip on is on another island that has no sheltered harbor for the boats or ships. The fish processing is done close to the product harvest, and Trident has declared $1,000,000.00 (1 million dollars ) of their own money to support it. The manufacture of large amphibious planes are scarce. The flying in of workers to distant parts of Alaska has gone on for years, I personally have ridden in “Gooses” & “Beavers ” to work in fish processing for about 7 years in the past.
      All of this is so that the facts can be debated intelligently! DO I support the airstrip? I would like some more financial sharing from the airline(s), fish producers/processors, and others that would benefit from this. We Alaskans have a need for infrastructure, but we need to also share the load with the beneficiaries.

      Report Post »  
  • rox
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:57am

    waste, waste, waste

    Report Post » rox  
  • cntrlfrk
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:56am

    ‘

    Now they need a ‘Bridge to Nowhere“ to the ”Airport to Nowhere”

    Report Post » cntrlfrk  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:06am

      .
      Hey, we can run a ferryboat to nowhere. Amtrack can run it.
      When are the citizens going to Washington with torches and pitchforks?

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • OneFunR6
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:21am

      “When are the citizens going to Washington with torches and pitchforks?”

      Just say when.

      Report Post » OneFunR6  
  • jnobfan
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:55am

    We are already spending $700,000,000.00 a year to provide air service for 100 permenant residents and an additional 900 temporay factory workers annually. This is not a freemarket solution folks. To throw more money at this is simply a larger crime than it already is.

    Report Post »  
  • NuffSaid
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:55am

    Are we taxpayers now in the fish canning business? If yes, where is our split on the profits- ignorant commie, Washington DC bast****s?
    A business should not be subsidized by the taxpayers. The thousand people who work the cannery seasonally could simply continue on state welfare. Alaska can afford it.

    Report Post »  
    • artbrownsr
      Posted on November 5, 2011 at 11:43am

      Except that 70% of the workers come from OUT OF STATE!

      Report Post »  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:50am

    For 64 million they ought to move the village 6 miles…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
    • turkey13
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:55am

      For 64 million they can provide free transportation to the largest city near them and save money. I’m sure this is a union prpject.

      Report Post »  
  • marthasusan40
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:50am

    Are we certain that the Late Congressman John Murtha was not brought back from the dead to put this into motion……

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:49am

    Here’s a thought, why doesn’t Trident Seafoods buy part of Peninsula Airways and invest in some new amphibious aircraft?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Dinkiecb
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:00am

      Because they can’t do that, it’s against corporate policy to make sense and take the easy simple route.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:12am

      Hell, why should they if they can get the rest of us to foot the bill…and we are.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Arch Stanton
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:43am

      Actually, there are no new amphibious aircraft of appropriate size to service that location safely. There are tiny float planes (4-6 passengers) and giant amphibious firefighting aircraft that weren’t designed to carry passengers at all. True amphibious aircraft have a boat hull with pontoons on the wing tips. This design is necessary to land in rougher water, since a float plane would capsize.

      If the FAA would allow new parts to be manufactured, the World War II era amphibious aircraft would be able to continue service for another 40 years at minimum. The news media likes to shock people with the age of these aircraft, but in reality they are completely safe as long as you can find parts for them. I own and operate a C-45 (military bomber trainer / transport) that was built in 1943, and honestly it’s safer than any commercial airliner in the world.

      I honestly don’t blame the people for seeking federal funds to reach their homes, but they never should have needed to ask for a new runway in the first place.. The real problem is FAA and EPA over-regulation. The EPA is trying to ban aviation gasoline, and that will lead to the demise of every World War II era aircraft in existence. Enjoy them at airshows while you can :(

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:52pm

      Hey Arch, thanks for the info. It still sounds like a little common sense would be cheaper. Let them build the parts they need! It’s has to cost less than the runway!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • bhelmet
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:46am

    That damn Sarah Palin!

    Report Post » bhelmet  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:42am

    Build it and they will come .

    Report Post » schroeder123  
    • TX_45_ACP
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:54am

      Maybe they will start building ghost cities just to keep people employed.

      Report Post » TX_45_ACP  
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