In the meantime, Bridge to Nowhere works for me. Required fields are marked *. This loop trail is just under three miles long, and a beauty to behold. Fourteen years on, Palin's 'bridge to nowhere' comment still resounds. Abandoned bridge hidden deep in the San Gabriel Mountains. Perhaps Mr. KEITH ASHDOWN (Chief Investigator, Taxpayers for Common Sense): We spent several months trying to figure out, you know, how could we make this sexy, so to speak, for the lower 48 states and for the news media. The road was part of the $398 million project to link Ketchikan and its airport on Gravina Island known as the "Bridge to Nowhere," and an earmark inserted by Alaska's congressional delegation had . The Ketchikan Daily News noted that, of the gubernatorial candidates, "Only Palin is consistent in support all of the projects". KETCHIKAN, Alaska (CNN) -- The "Bridge to Nowhere" may have been shelved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They have a bunch of snow out at McCarthy already, like a foot and a half or so I think. His advertising and comments that (before September 21, 2006) contradicted Governor Sarah Palin's support of the bridge drew the attention of the media[46] when he chose Palin as his running mate, opening the ticket to charges of hypocrisy. But Weinstein, a Democrat, said Palin instead spent $26 million to build a road "that will not go to a bridge.". It's redirected the money to other alternatives in Alaska and has gone to one project that's on the Gravina Island, it's a road project. Now, thanks to recent news events, this image just may havea life after all. money for the bridges to nowhere and Congress will apply the money The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Perhaps thats reason enough for some funding, restore the west end of the bridge, and the Gilahina Trestle can be known as Alaskas Bridge to Somwhere namely, the other side of the Gilahina River. serve a tiny fraction of the state's citizens. SIEGEL: 2004, April 10th, 2004 an article appears in the New York Times in which you're quoted. Its a rickety ole job, at this point, and walking across it with nearly a foot of snow covering each board was, uhhm, sketchy. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. The 3.2-mile road was built at a cost of $28 million by Kiewit Pacific Co. of Anchorage. Gov. There were a few different options created for the bridge and Im not sure what the final decision was as I moved from the area a few years ago, but I know several of the plans had the bridge quite a ways south of town, which would mean having to build a new road over on Gravina through an area that is not currently developed. The bridge to nowhere - sometimes called Garry Bridge lies beyond the Tolsta Village - and is on the route of what was to be Lord Leverhulme's new route to Ness. (population 50) at a cost to federal taxpayers of $320 million, by Legal Statement. This is looking from Ketchikan across the Tongass Narrows to Gravina Island, the destination of the bridge. JUNEAU, Alaska Some called it a bridge to the future. I can just imagine something like the French Viaduct, but with a toll of $30.00 each way. Just a little under 40 years later, in 1968, it was deemed unfit for modern traffic needs not difficult to understand, given its narrow width. is Herbert and Joyce Morgan Senior Research Fellow in the Thomas A. Thanks Kristen I would love to visit Florida someday! LOL. He wrote this excellent piece which I think basically was its introduction to the national audience. Sept. 19, 2008 12 AM PT. However, residents continue to seek funding for the Ketchikan-Gravina span. In 2005, legislation backed by Stevens to build a so-called "bridge to nowhere" became a . Palin directed state transportation officials to find the most "fiscally responsible" alternative for access to the airport. Organise, control, distribute, and measure all of your digital content. It spans a deep gorge overlooking the lovely Garry beach, one of the prettiest in the Outer Hebrides. Murkowski, the local community and some legislators. [48] According to the Los Angeles Times, for instance, while seeking votes for her governorship race, Palin told Ketchikan residents that she backed the "bridge to nowhere"; as governor, she spent the money elsewhere and moved ahead with a $26-million road to the nonexistent bridge. The next year, they changed the language. Nowhere," the bridge in Alaska would connect the town of Ketchikan When DOT last month selected a ferry as its preliminary "preferred alternative" for the project, the bridge cost estimate had climbed to $450 million. To get to the trailhead: From the 210 freeway in Azusa, take exit 40 north on Route 39. Dubbed the "Bridge to And so, the governor had no options." Palin has been heavily criticized for repeating the stock line about killing the "Bridge to Nowhere" without noting that she supported the project as a candidate for governor. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The critics called the road spending wasteful for the same reason. Much of the publics attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here. The $398 million bridge would have connected Ketchikan, on one island in southeastern Alaska, to its airport on another nearby island. Alaska officials have put the final kibosh on the infamous "bridge to nowhere" -- a $400 million project tucked into the federal transportation plan 10 years ago that became the symbol of . Follow it to find a gorge railroad bridge, where occasionally you may even see the Alaska Railroad pass overhead! Collect, curate and comment on your files. [18], In September 2006, during her campaign for Governor, Sarah Palin visited Ketchikan to express her support for the Gravina Island Bridge project. It has also become an embarrassment to the of Alaska and the U.S. Congress. Bridge to Nowhere is an unforgettable hike, and an understandable Los Angeles favorite. "The governor was left no viable alternative," Stapleton said. Nice to actually see where my tax dollars were supposed to be spent (hope you enjoyed them even if you didnt get the bridge ). Your email address will not be published. Transportation officials at the time replied that the road was built with the support of Gov. Crazy times. I have a feeling this might have some legs in it still. The road was never finished. The bridge has Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users "Bridge to Nowhere", "Alaska: End Sought For 'Bridge To Nowhere', "Two 'Bridges to Nowhere' Tumble Down in Congress", House Vote #159 (Mar 2, 2011) On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H R 662 Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, "Alaska 'bridge to nowhere' plan is no more as state chooses ferry for Ketchikan", "Ketchikan Gravina Island Access Project", "Airport Ferry - Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK", "Ketchikan airport and ferry statistics for December 2006", "Gravina Access Project, Record of Decision, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Ketchikan, Alaska. One very large bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina Island, where the city's airport is. Youll come along the river about halfway through your hike, and its a good place to take a quick rest if you need one. by the House of Representatives, and finally cancelled in 2015. . She killed the Bridge to Nowhere - that is correct. Following the construction of the island highway, the $28 million expenditure wound up being used by both bridge supporters to make the case for construction and bridge critics who called it a boondoggle. Great scenery, plenty of interesting details, and a clear, well-marked path. Homer, Alaska, wrote, "Alaskans owe an apology to the people of New We may borrow that metaphor to contemplate whether the recent U.S.-China dialogue in Anchorage was a bridge to nowhere or will be a catalytic moment to construct a . Keep up the great work! Hi Annie. Ketchikan is Alaska's entry port for northbound cruise ships that bring more than 1 million visitors yearly. They called the state's decision premature, saying it came without warning. road in the morning fog - bridge to nowhere california stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Ketchikan, do not value the Gravina Island bridge project, its As anyone running for statewide office in Alaska, to oppose a project like this would have been a political suicide. Assuming the Get more stories delivered right to your email. Thank you, Teresa Haney, Your email address will not be published. You were wearing a T-shirt in the 2006 campaign, showed your support for the bridge to nowhere." Dubbed the "bridge to nowhere," it would have connected the small city of Ketchikan to its airport on nearby Gravina island, and it secured a $223 million earmark in 2005. become an object of national ridicule and a symbol of the fiscal It started in 2002, he says, when he got a tip about a huge pork barrel project. Ketchikan's airport is the second largest in Southeast Alaska, after Juneau International Airport, and handled over 200,000 passengers a year or 550 per day, while the ferry shuttled 350,000 people in the same time period (as of December2006[update]).[11]. A number of alternative bridge routes were considered. Required fields are marked *. Bridge Cordova Alaska | Miles Glacier Bridge (Million Dollar Bridge), Cordova, Alaska. The town seven blocks wide and eight miles long has little room to grow. Sarah Palin said Friday the project was $329 million short of full funding. [10] The bridge would cross the Tongass Narrows, part of Alaska's Inside Passage, so the bridge was designed to be tall enough to accommodate ship traffic, including the Alaska Marine Highway and the cruise ships that frequent Alaskan waters during the summer. All About Sarah Palin Alaska U.S. Presidential Election, iReport.com: Are you in a battleground state? What did you think? For the first two weeks of her campaign, Palin routinely told audiences in her stump speech that she told Congress "thanks, but no thanks" for the bridge, which was backed by the leaders of Alaska's congressional delegation. But some locals said they'll find some way to use the road, such as running or bicycle riding. It is showing the years isnt it. SIEGEL: Called by its critics, The Bridge to Nowhere, that was April 10th. 8,000) by a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate and higher . That's progress. The Gravina Island Bridge, commonly referred to as the "Bridge to Nowhere", was a proposed bridge to replace the ferry that currently connects the town of Ketchikan, Alaska, United States, with Gravina Island, an island that contains the Ketchikan International Airport as well as 50 residents. She said there wasn't enough money to . Taking the ferry from Ketchikan, AK to the airport which is on Gravina Island AKA "nowhere."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravina_Island_Bridgehttp://www.boro. [21][22][23][24][25], During her inaugural address on December 4, 2006, Governor Palin pledged responsible spending. "Leadership staffer suggested that retribution could be levied for disaster relief, Alaska's congressional delegation has dug in its A trail proceeds from their to the mining area at Taylor, Alaska. From Alaska's 'bridge to nowhere' to Pyongyang's Hotel of Doom, via a 1bn arts centre with a dodgy roof, here are the world's most high-profile wastes of capital . Milk the next few months for all you can license wise, nothing like a local celebrity to drive your image sales. It was good that this project was killed by Governor Palin, but it's not correct that it saved any money. [34], The city of Ketchikan has already begun to develop roads and a small amount of infrastructure for Gravina Island's 50 inhabitants. "The Bridge to Nowhere" has been a much-used phrase by the McCain Campaign. 546 reviews of Bridge to Nowhere "This hike reigns supreme as my favorite day hike in SoCal. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska revolve corset tulle gown / self catering accommodation fish hoek / pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska By 21 Feb 2022 [54] The motion lost and the funding was kept. "Gov. SIEGEL: But by that time, John McCain had long since seized upon the Alaska bridge as the epitome of all that's wrong with Washington. It's actually a nice road.". I agree and consent to receiveemails from Visit California and its partners with special offers and exclusive content and that I am at least 18 years old, Its all form and no function at this architectural marvel. You guys do an amazing job! Have the bridge to nowhere in Alaska, a $233 million bridge to an island with 50 people on it, or a $1,000 tax credit for every child in America?" Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who hollered earliest and loudest about Alaska's "Bridge to Nowhere," says that he spoke with Gov. Sarah is speaking in Anchorage on Saturday, but I would rather be in Denali thats where Im heading! And every day, she repeats that she told Washington, thanks, but no thanks. Hopefully it works out for you Ron. Congress should be eager to zero out its funding. sum of little consequence; what the Senator sees as a problem in Share. Many of the earmarks, he claimed, are House and Senate Republican negotiators take legislative wrecking ball to two Alaskan 'bridges to nowhere' that have become national symbols of spending excess and political albatross; federal . Last summer while I was in Ketchikan, I hiked up the hill above town to get a better perspective of the destination for the "Bridge to Nowhere". CNN Special Investigations Unit. ", Back in Anchorage, This is the sort of challenge that fiscally RMAJN58E - Florida Keys Old Overseas Highway Bridge Bridge to Nowhere old 7-mile bridge with missing section RM 2G88E11 - Dunbar, United Kingdom. So, we're going to have to make some tough choices. If youre visiting Denali National Park, youll want to read all about these15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didnt Know About Denali National Park. But Alaska still got the money. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska became the object of strong media criticism when he strongly opposed diverting the Gravina and Knik Arm Bridge funds to help in the disaster aid. Sarah Palin came into office after having ousted Murkowski in the 2006 primary, she stopped the bridge project, saying it had lost congressional support. Tell me about that. You know, the senator has been committed to cutting wasteful spending for a long time. 15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didnt Know About Denali National Park. Suppose the government wants to spend a large sum of money to increase employment and spur economic growth . present, a ferry service runs to the island, but some in the town I suppose I should point out that the Bridge is not technically Alaskas famed Bridge to Nowhere, but the nomenclature seems to fit rightly enough. The legend on the shirt was "Nowhere Alaska 99901", referencing the buzzword of "Bridge to Nowhere" and the primary ZIP code of Ketchikan. The idea was to replace the ferry connecting Ketchikan with Gravina Island, where the Ketchikan Airport is. Market data provided by Factset. Located on a hiking trail in Denali National Park, this easy trail takes you along the river to a bridge right in the middle of nowhere. We Don't Need Another "Bridge to Nowhere". The Gravina Island Highway was to become part of what's officially known as the Gravina Access Project to better connect the city with Ketchikan International Airport. KETCHIKAN, Alaska (CNN) -- The "Bridge to Nowhere" may have been shelved. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska; pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska. Most importantly, pushing back would show the nation that transportation priorities instead of a useless bridge that would in the state's newspapers, and the papers' editors have also [27], Although Palin was originally a main proponent of the bridge, McCainPalin television advertisements claimed that Palin "stopped the Bridge to Nowhere". The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. Frank Murkowski ordered work on the bridge project to begin with the construction of the highway south from the airport to the channel between Gravina Island and Revillagigedo Island, on which Ketchikan resides. 3058 [109th]'s first version passed the U.S. Senate with 93 votes for, 1 against. Miles Glacier Bridge, Alaska, damaged by a 1964 earthquake (photograph by Jet Lowe) Birmingham, . Ketchikan Gateway Borough Manager Dan Bockhorst said the borough owns some land adjacent to the Gravina Island Highway but hasn't tried to develop it and has no immediate plans to do so. The 86 mile Nome-Taylor gravel highway ends at this one-lane bridge spanning the Kougarok River. Thank you! The hike is within Denali National Park, which is a designated wilderness. Less publicized is that, before the bridge project was cancelled, an approach road about three miles long was built to connect the airport with . She has dropped the line from her stump speech in the past week, but a McCain-Palin aide said that her prepared remarks are being tweaked as needed to reflect current events, and it could come back again. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Located on a hiking trail in Denali National Park, this easy trail takes you along the river to a bridge right in the middle of nowhere. According to USA Today, the bridge was to have been nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 1.7mi (2.7km) long, and "higher than the Brooklyn Bridge". [13], On October 21, 2005, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) offered an amendment to remove funds for the Gravina Island and Knik Arm bridges, and divert the funds to rebuild a bridge over Lake Pontchartrain that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Palin could have stopped construction of this road," said Weinstein, who wore his "Nowhere, Alaska" T-shirt to an interview with CNN. Keith Ashdown, the chief investigator for the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, is credited with naming the bridge. But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., But she didn't attempt to void the already signed construction contracts for the approach road. Love Alaska? responsible senators should relish and, through their votes, show Even at that, I dont know if there is much money to be made! authority to be trusted with hard-earned tax dollars. Have you ever hiked the bridge to nowhere in Alaska? "[20] Later that month, at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Wasilla, Alaska, Democratic candidate Tony Knowles criticized Palin for supporting the Knik Arm Bridge, the Gravina Island Bridge, and a road north out of Juneau instead of rebuilding the Parks Highway. The little bit of development you do see on Gravina Island is the Ketchikan Airport, currently serviced by a ferry. The National Park Service is all about funding for construction projects, so the Gilahina Trestle will probably be the recipient of some cash. When new Gov. And yes, the cruise ship issue is a huge money costing factor as well as far as how big the bridge would have to be. And she actively was an advocate for it. [7], According to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, the project's goal was to "provide better service to the airport and allow for development of large tracts of land on the island". Built in 1911 as part of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway (nicknamed Cant Run and Never Will), the Gilahina Trestle was not quite 900 long, and nearly 100 high. 10 Bridge To Nowhere Was Built In 1936 As Part Of The California State Route 39 Highway Project. Sarah Palin let the "Road to Nowhere . Clifford Winston Sunday, April 13, 2014. The bridge has a height of 50ft and a width of 100 feet. In November 2006, Sarah Palin is elected and from what we can tell, she was supporting it. Every flight into Gravina Island requires a 15-minute ferry ride to reach the more densely populated Revillagigedo Island. The cart was put before the horse when road builders constructed a massive concrete bridge over the San Gabriel River in 1936. The one section to the left looks like it is about to fall down already. Free or royalty-free photos and images. the blue duck lodge located in the whanganui national park is a working cattle farm with a focus on conservation. H.R. In addition to the road itself, another $11 million was spent building a 700-foot-long tunnel under the Ketchikan airport runway to get to the Gravina Island Highway from the airport terminal. The controversy began with the 2006 National Appropriations Bill, an omnibus spending bill covering transportation, housing, and urban development for the following year. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage ", In the Ketchikan Even as the White House buzzes with meetings and as Cabinet secretaries troop up to Capitol Hill . She killed the bridge and saved taxpayers money. DOT officials at the time said that if they didn't then continue with the bridge, they might be required to pay back to the federal government the $28 million it spent on the road. When she was running for governor in 2006, Palin said she was insulted by the term "bridge to nowhere," according to Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, a Republican . Construction of bridges was started at 1939 but at 1950 was by communist regime the construction of highway stopped. Drive 11.6 miles north, passing the East Fork Ranger Station at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! When asked if he felt the road was "a waste of taxpayer money", he responded, "Without the bridge, yeah." Have any photos of the people Palin fired? The bridge is quite pretty, especially if you see it glowing in the setting sun. Campaign spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said Palin would not have allowed the road project to go forward under normal circumstances. [1] The project encountered fierce opposition outside Alaska as a symbol of pork barrel spending and is labeled as one of the more prominent "bridges to nowhere". Bridge was reassembled at it's present site. Despite the But some of that money was still spent building a road to nowhere. All rights reserved. Share your stories, Palin meets with world leaders ahead of VP debate, Obama: McCain wants to 'gamble' with Social Security, Read Abbie Boudreau's "backstory" blog on "Road to nowhere", Road on Alaskan island was built with some of $223 million in taxpayer money, Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein calls the road a waste of money, Road was supposed to be access connector to the failed 'Bridge to Nowhere', 'Bridge to Nowhere' has become symbol of excessive spending.