This session, I’m in at the helm of the Senate Transportation Committee. We got off to a great start with our first meeting on January 24th and have been holding twice-weekly meetings since. Our mission as a committee is to “drive” continuous improvement across all modes of transportation. All puns intended.
In keeping with this mission, we have been hearing a series of presentations from the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities focusing on each major mode of transportation: planes, trains, automobiles, ferries, nonmotorized transportation, and public facilities.
As the session progresses, we will begin to drill down into bills and specific modes of transportation, looking for ways to support long-range planning and continuous improvement processes in each mode.
Catch up on Senate Transportation so far:
January 24: At our first meeting, we discussed our priorities and vision for the coming two years. My vision for an improved department is one that is running at peak efficiency, employing every dollar toward the projects and needs of Alaska.
Watch here
January 26: We took a deep dive into the organizational structure of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Every Alaskan interacts with the work of DOT every day. I asked the Department to give us a good baseline understanding of the department, focusing on what organizational challenges they were facing, what steps they were taking to resolve these issues, and what the legislature can do to support them in that effort.
Watch here | Flip through the slide deck
January 31: Much of the work that DOT does is tied to federal funds—from yearly formula funds to onetime packages that go toward specific types of infrastructure. The Director of the Division of Planning and Development walked us through how funding comes to the department from the federal government and what we should be expecting over the next few years as Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funds make there way to Alaska.
Watch here | Go through the slide deck | Learn more about the IIJA funds that are coming to Alaska specifically for Highways and Bridges
February 2: We heard from Department of Transportation, the Alaska Marine Highway System, and the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board about how they are planning to manage critically needed capital improvements to the AMHS’ aging vessels and overall reliability. With $300 million in new federal funds available to make these projects happen, the AMHS will be a focus for the Committee as we move forward. It is critical that every dollar is intentionally spent according to a well-defined plan that ensures a long-term reliable and efficient mode of transportation for dozens of communities that rely on it.
Watch here | Flip through the slide pack
February 9: We learned about the DOT divisions that handle the maintenance of all public facilities and the statewide aviation program. DOT maintains over 2,300 facilities and 235 rural airports—Alaska’s two international airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks are self-sustaining. With 82% of Alaskan communities inaccessible by road, aviation is is essential to hundreds of thousands of Alaskans. Fun fact: There are over 5 times the number of pilots in Alaska than in the US per capita.
Watch here | Flip through the slide packs on Division of Facilities Services or Statewide Aviation
Coming up this week:
Today, February 14, 1:30-3pm AKST
We will be hearing from DOT about strategic investment decisions and transportation planning data.
Watch it here | Flip through the slide pack
Thursday, February 16, 1:30-3pm AKST
Our first bill hearing! We will be hearing Senate Bill 62 by Senator Kawasaki which would change the standing of electric bikes in statute.
Watch it here | Read the bill | Learn more about the Bill
