January 27, 2018
Saturday PM

Several years ago, I posted a link to the real story on "The Bridge To Nowhere". It showed that it was tied to the environmental lobby and their plans for the Tongass.

I had to deal with the ferry several times a day. You know about the aggravation of having to watch the ferry leave without you, knowing that it would be another half-hour until you could finally complete your journey. Imagine having to deal with a van full of passengers and their frustration.

I never understood the reason for the high bridge over the eastern channel with the high bluff over the west side of Pennock as a natural launch for a high bridge to allow the cruise ships access. The Alaska Ferry always uses the west channel, so there is a precedent. The east channel could then be a lower bridge sufficient for trawlers, private recreational boats and visiting yachts.

Another point that as far as I know has never been addressed is the possibility of, with new access roads to the southwest of Gravina Island, a short ferry run to the new access road on Annette Island would allow easy hourly or less service. Another road across Gravina to the Clarence Strait and opposite access roads on Prince of Wales would dramatically shorten IFA runs.

The "Bridge to Nowhere" would have added improved access to 5 Southeast Alaska islands and their communities. I do not consider that as being nowhere. It certainly would have improved the lives and livelihoods, and also made life in the Final Frontier a lot better.

Ken Leland
Ketchikan, Alaska

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Received January 27, 2017 - Published January 27, 2018

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