AIDEA to Fund West Susitna Access Road Advancement

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, or AIDEA, is dedicating $25,000,000 toward developing the West Susitna Access Road. A resolution passed by the AIDEA Board of Directors focuses on providing a route for mining projects, as well as providing the public year-round access to thousands of acres of state land on the west side of the Susitna River.

The funds are specifically designated to gather geotechnical data to drive bridge foundation design, material site development, culvert sizing, and road alignment. 

According to documents provided by AIDEA Engagement and Communications Specialist Robyn Reyes, the funding will also cover the hydrologic and hydraulic field investigations and preparation of permit applications needed before drilling.

It’s unclear from the documents if that will include environmental impact statements for the disturbances to natural resources and waterways throughout the corridor. There will be more than 100 stream and wetland crossings, though the exact number is unknown until the final route is determined.

Twenty-two miles of the road is federally funded, with about nine percent of that matched by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Those first miles will be open to the public for recreation access. DOT’s Central Region Administrative Operations Manager Justin Shelby says current project materials indicate that AIDEA’s 78.5 miles connecting to the State’s portion also are intended to be open for public access.

Shelby also says the State’s portion of the funding will cover the bridge over the Susitna River and a public boat launch with parking at that access point. AIDEA’s documents indicate they will study other bridge crossings, including the Skwentna River, though there is no mention of public access at those sites.

Despite several requests, AIDEA representatives did not respond to specific questions via email or phone.