According to Bill Reed, with Cardno Consulting, the proposed Knik Arm Bridge, assuming it is built, is not expected to have a strong influence on job growth on the Anchorage side, and only minimal influence on the Mat – Su side
“There’s modest net new growth, that’s created by the bridge, but by and large, it’s much more of… it’s opened up kind of different locational options and business options for different industries. The weight of the evidence is there’s no major change to industry sector employment [in Anchorage] Mat Su Borough, with the bridge, for all years basically, employment is expected to grow but with the bridge, 59,500 jobe, 57,300 without the bridge. But overall, no major dramatic increases in employment.”
Hugh Miller, with CDM Smith, outlined three scenarios: no build, build/no toll, and build with toll, and the projected effect on traffic patterns through 2060. That data was used, in part to determine projected toll revenues.
The findings were presented at joint meeting of two Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions [AMATS] committees in Anchorage.
A draft socioeconomic review and traffic forecast for the proposed Knik Arm Crossing project was released Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, by a trio of independent consulting firms: Cardno Consulting Services, Agnew-Beck, and CDM Smith.
image credit res3D.com
