Alaska Railroad schedules two events to highlight Tanana River Bridge Construction

Written by jrood

Events that showcase the Tanana River bridge project have been scheduled as the Alaska Railroad prepares for construction to begin in Salcha, Alaska. Public Open House: August 23 - Salcha School, 8530 Richardson Highway. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. (Note: Salcha residents located next to the construction site have also been invited to an informational gathering on August 22. This meeting is designed specifically for neighboring property owners and is not a public event.) Ground-breaking Ceremony: September 28 - Beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the bridge construction staging area in Salcha. Access to and space at the staging area is limited and vans will be on-hand to shuttle local dignitaries to the site. The bridge is the first phase of the larger Northern Rail Extension project that will eventually expand railroad track infrastructure from North Pole / Eielson 80 miles southeast to Delta Junction. Expected to be a three-year effort, NRE Phase One will construct a new bridge across the river and an associated levee near Salcha, Alaska. The Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2010. The August open house will offer nearby residents and the interested public a project update to include construction phasing, traffic control, community impacts and EIS mitigation measures. The presentation will provide an overview of these topics, however, attendees can come at any time during the open house to review displays and ask questions. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and explain phases and stages of the project. The ground-breaking ceremony will feature members of Alaska's congressional delegation, governor's office, local community dignitaries and railroad executives. The event will celebrate the start of the long-anticipated rail extension, which is expected to boost local and state economies with millions of dollars spent on local equipment, materials, supplies and lodging. More than 200 construction jobs are projected during the summer months and about two dozen year-round.

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