Stories in the News (Sitnews) - Ketchikan, Alaska

Sitnews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska - Opinions

Governor Gives Support to Moving
Marine Highway Headquarters to Ketchikan
Administration Will Work Toward Late March Decision

March 05, 2004
Friday - 12:50 am

Juneau , AK - In responding to a question asked at a press conference Thursday at the Juneau Senior Center, Governor Frank Murkowski said he is in favor of moving the Alaska Marine Highway System headquarters from Juneau to Ketchikan, but that there is a process that will be followed to get to a decision on it.

The Governor is aware of a report done for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on the various aspects of the proposed move, and he based his support of the proposal on the potential savings and the available warehouse and docking space in Ketchikan. The report is currently under review at DOT&PF.

"In my opinion, there are good reasons set out in the report to make this move, such as savings that can be achieved by centralizing much of what the Marine Highway does," Murkowski said. "I recognize it would be disruptive to some Marine Highway employees, but I would hope the people of Juneau would be supportive of this effort. We will work with the employees and effected elected officials to follow-up on the recommendations laid out in the report."

Murkowski noted that his administration is working on a number of projects that will be beneficial to the Juneau economy, such as permitting for the Kensington mine, and the expansion at Greens Creek mine. Constructing the road north to Skagway is another major project important to Juneau that he supports.