The Road Is Being Widened

The DOT stated a few times as an  alleged reason for this road project is: it will make the road “safer” but there has not been many accidents in this area, a random drunk driver a few years back, then another reason stated : was drainage but the drainage on the largest parcel of land up for the chopping block does not have drainage issues, as the pictures show.

Then there are other reasons thrown out by the DOT that the speed limit should be increased by having passing lanes. Most Moose Pass residents particularly whose homes are near the road, think this would be dangerous, especially near the town and close to homes wherein any driver speeding over 35 mph could careen over into a home, along with trucks kicking gravel and debris ruining cabin roofs and windows because the DOT wants to chop down  trees in certain individual’s yards, the trees by the way serve as buffer zones. Arguably,  anyone who has driven these roads know passing lanes increase driving speeds, wherein drivers then speed over 65 mph passing on slippery roads, with  disregard to safety, especially in winter.

Once the road is widened, it has to be maintained in winter, most of the traffic is in summer but as it has been for several years, maintaining these roads has been lacking, and with larger roads comes more issues in snow on the roads in  winter. Where is the increased  budget  for plowing , and sanding ? It’s going to be even more dangerous with larger roads at accelerated speeds but this is only  the opinions of  residents, and local Alaskans who live here not the agencies who continually say they know what it best for this town and Alaska at large. A community, private property wildlife, salmon and the safety of drivers are at risk due to a 50 or 60 million dollar project and most likely more DOT projects like this that will wipe out businesses and communities, bears and such with OPM, (Other People’s Money). This is not free money, it’s your money and our private property rights at stake for the so called common good but does the the common good exist in this scenario ? You decide. Read our website, read the DOT’s pages, and read the statutes and read up on all the boondoggles that were huge mistakes that cost millions for no real common good.

Our intent is to persevere the history, community, local businesses from what we believe is wrong for many reasons, legally, ethically and environmentally, particularly to FISH, we live and die by fishing, not by wide roads that are only beneficial to a few Alaskans, and mostly tourists in summers . The rest of the time these roads are vacant, so this is a big cost for little gain.