LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitkans Hear Details For Katlian Rd. Plan

By SHANNON HAUGLAND

Sentinel Staff Writer

The new nine-mile, single-lane road to Katlian Bay should provide new opportunities for subsistence, recreation and resource development, the Chamber of Commerce was told Wednesday.

Keith Karpstein speaks about the proposed Katlian Bay road Wednesday at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce. (Sentinel Photo)

Keith Karpstein, design group chief for the Department of Transportation, outlined at the weekly luncheon the details of the $16 million road that will be started in mid 2016 and finished a year later if the project goes as planned.

The $14 million for the Katlian road was in the statewide $454 million transportation bond issue approved by the voters in 2012. 

Karpstein, speaking to a packed house at the Westmark, said the exact cost of the road will be known once contractors’ bids are received. He concluded his presentation by taking a few questions from the audience. Later that afternoon Karpstein and his DOT colleagues from Juneau held an open house, with a similar presentation, at Centennial Hall. More than 30 people attended the open house in addition to the dozens who went to the Chamber luncheon, Karpstein said.

“There are some folks that like it, and some folks that don’t,” Karpstein said today from Juneau. “Overall, I think, the folks who attended the meeting are excited about the project and would like to see it move forward.”

The road would be an extension of Halibut Point Road past its existing terminus at Starrigavan.

The majority of the concerns raised by residents at the open house related to the cost of the project at a time when the state is experiencing severe financial challenges.

“They wanted to know why are we spending money with the current budget crisis,” Karpstein said. He clarified that money for this project is not from the general fund, but comes from the multimillion-dollar general obligation bond passed by the voters.

 

One of those commenting at the open house said he would prefer that the area remain pristine and untouched, but overall most were pleased with the prospect of more opportunities to get out and enjoy more remote areas for recreation, hunting and fishing, Karpstein said.

Access to a prospective rock quarry is given as another reason for the road, as well as providing access to Shee Atika Inc. lands, and “new material sources on state, federal and Native corporation land.”

“Sitka currently has a finite road system that provides limited passenger vehicle access for recreation and subsistence activities,” Karpstein said in his Power Point presentation at both the Chamber and the open house. “Sitka has a shortage of developable material sources for future projects on the existing road system.”

The plans show the road will:

– start at the northern end of HPR, and end at a new U.S. Forest Service trailhead.

– have a 25 mph speed limit.

– have a single 12-foot-wide lane, with two-foot-wide shoulders and 100 pullouts for passing, spaced about 600 to 1,000 feet apart.

– have a number of viewpoints and an end-point comprising a parking area, fire ring and pit toilet.

– include a 150-foot bridge crossing Katlian River, plus five smaller bridges crossing other streams.

– be open year-round, although Karpstein said he doesn’t believe the state plans to clear snow in the winter. Regular road maintenance is expected, however, he said.

Karpstein said about 97 acres of land will be affected, including 12 acres of wetlands for which mitigation will be needed. Four anadromous streams will be crossed, but planners may learn of more during further investigations.

 

The project is currently at the 35 percent design phase; Karpstein said he and his team will return later to update residents on the progress and planning for the project. He said he also intends to post the plans, including maps and designs for the road and bridges, on the department’s web page.

The department is still collecting public comments on the project. They may be submitted to the department before 4 p.m. Friday, April 3. Those with questions about commenting may call Deborah Holman at 465-1828.

In an interview today Sen. Bert Stedman said from Juneau the project is not likely to be derailed by the current financial crisis.

“It’s unlikely that would happen – it was voted on by the people,” he said. “As we’re trying to work through the next few years, we have to be careful we don’t mess up our long-term projects over our short-term problems. That includes the Mt. Edgecumbe pool, and this project.”

 

The Mt. Edgecumbe pool is also funded through a state general obligation bond.

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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