WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal government is about to release $16.2 million to the Alaska Railroad for construction projects, the Anchorage Daily News reports.
The largest share — $9 million — is to straighten the track. It’s part of a $78 million project to straighten nearly 70 curves between Anchorage and Wasilla, which the railroad says will cut travel time and increase safety. A straighter track is expected to reduce Anchorage-Wasilla travel time from 90 minutes to just under an hour.
That would be a boon if the railroad decides to pursue commuter service, railroad spokeswoman Stephenie Wheeler said.
“Once those curves are all done it’ll make commuter rail much more viable,” she said.
The remaining $7.2 million is for a new train station in Fairbanks, which the railroad calls the “Fairbanks Intermodal Facility.”
The money comes from appropriations that Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, secured last year and in previous years.
The railroad is in the midst of a $300-million construction boom fueled by federal spending. The projects include a $28 million train station being built at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.