Likely No Budget for Crossing on Spur Road Near Downtown

At this month’s Talkeetna Community Council meeting, one resident noted the dangerous stretch of roadway in front of Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures, where many visitors cross to get to the business. She says vehicles are still moving too fast, though the speed limit is significantly reduced in that section of the Talkeetna Spur Road, and there is no safe place to cross the street. 

At the meeting she says she has not had much luck reaching out to the Mat-Su Borough about the issue and hopes the Council may be able to help. The Talkeetna Spur Road is a state road and would need the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to determine what, if anything, could be done at the location.

Alaska Representative Kevin McCabe says he’s happy to support the idea with the State DOT, but that there will likely be zero money this year for projects. He goes on to say that Community Assistance Program, or CAP, funds given to Community Councils may even be cut in half. He says to be prepared to tighten belts if the price of oil continues to stay as low as it is since the State relies on oil revenues for its funding. Every dollar the price dips means a significant hit to the budget. 

That could leave proposed crosswalks and other road projects without funding.