Caroline Odell's Profile

NEW
- Corps of Engineers issues Juneau road
permit

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP and KINY) - The
federal government has given the green
light for work to proceed on a road out
of Juneau, but it's unclear if
construction will begin anytime soon.



The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued
a permit today (Wednesday) for the
51-mile project that would stop at a
ferry terminal at the Katzehin River
Delta across the Lynn Canal from Haines.



State transportation officials have said
they would be ready to go out to bid on
the first five miles of the project once
the permit was issued.



Project Manager Reuben Yost called it
good news for the department. "It's
an indication that another federal
agency after a long and careful review
believes that the project is warranted
and complies with their
regulation."



But Governor Sarah Palin says she has
qualms about moving forward while the
project is under litigation.



As a result, Yost says the state has
told the court it will not advertise the
project or begin construction until the
U. S. District Court in Alaska rules on
the suit brought by environmental
groups.



He says they're hoping for a ruling by
early Fall.



The project is estimated to cost at
least $374 million.  

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