Alaska Stands to Benefit With Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
pending in Congress through a process known as budget reconciliation. That bill must stand on its own merits and is not included in our advocacy efforts. The IIJA, however, is. Roads, bridges, passenger rail systems, transit systems, water and energy infrastructure, broadband, airports, and ports are on the list for planned improvements should the smaller, more narrowly tailored IIJA bill pass. Is there anyone in Alaska who doesn’t think we could use an injection of cash to improve the items on that list? Think of the major infrastructure challenges faced by the state. The Port of Alaska is crumbling and in urgent need of major repair. Many rural communities still lack running water and sewer. In Alaska, 25 percent of the roads have been designated as in poor or mediocre condition. These realities cost all of us. Any Alaskan who has survived potholes and frost heaves during breakup can attest to the fact that our roads desperately need improvement. What specifically is in the IIJA for Alaskans? If passed, it would provide a $350 billion investment in the nation’s roads and bridges, of which Alaska would receive more than $3.8 billion in long term funding over the next five years. The IIJA also includes a one-time
Editor’s Note: This op-ed was submitted to statewide media outlets By Alicia Siira, Rebecca Logan, Marleanna Hall, Kati Capozzi, Deantha Skibinski, Renee Limoge Reeve, Tessa Axelson and Joe Michel The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Alaska’s infrastructure and economy and highlights the strong work our congressional delegation has done to advocate for Alaska families, workers and communities. Our diverse organizations keep Alaskans working by ensuring opportunities exist to develop our state’s natural resource industries, including oil, mining, timber, seafood, tourism, transportation and construction. Add up all the families and jobs we represent, and you are looking at the heart and soul of Alaska’s economy. We support passage of the bipartisan IIJA, and appreciate the work Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young have made to move it forward. It is important to note this piece of legislation funds physical infrastructure that keeps our state and country moving — it is separate from the much larger, more controversial $3.5 trillion “human infrastructure” bill also
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November 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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