Alaskans Question $135 Million for West Susitna Access Road

Proposed project would build costly bridges across remote rivers, raising concerns about maintenance costs and priorities.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:21pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone bridge spanning a winding river in a remote Alaskan landscape, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene.The proposed West Susitna Access Road project would require building several costly bridges across remote Alaskan rivers, raising concerns about maintenance costs and transportation funding priorities.Portage Creek Today

A civil engineer who previously worked on the reconnaissance study for the West Susitna Access Road project is criticizing the state's plan to spend $135 million on the first phase of the road, which is now described as a 'recreational road' rather than a mining access route. The author argues that the state should prioritize maintaining existing roads that Alaskans rely on daily over building an expensive new road to remote areas.

Why it matters

The West Susitna Access Road project has evolved from a mining access route to a 'recreational road,' but it would still require building costly bridges and infrastructure across remote rivers and streams. This raises concerns about who will pay for the ongoing maintenance of the road and whether these funds would be better spent addressing the state's backlog of road maintenance needs.

The details

The proposed 100-mile West Susitna Access Road would require building 11 bridges, including 4 complex bridges spanning up to 2,160 feet across deep canyons and rivers. The project is also expected to need 156 stream, creek, and river crossings, with 145 requiring culverts, about 90 of which must allow fish passage. The author, a civil engineer who previously worked on the project's reconnaissance study, estimates the total cost of the 100-mile road at around $500 million, adjusted for inflation. However, the state's transportation plan allocates $135 million for just the first 22-mile phase, raising questions about why public funds are being used for what is now described as a 'recreational road' that primarily benefits private mining interests.

  • In 2012, the author traveled with the Mat-Su road superintendent evaluating bridge and culvert issues throughout the borough.
  • In 2019, the author worked on the reconnaissance study for the West Susitna Access Road project.
  • In 2021, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority estimated the total cost of the 100-mile road at $357 million, which is now approaching $500 million adjusted for inflation.

The players

Bob Butera

A civil engineer who has performed reconnaissance and hydrologic studies for roads throughout Alaska, including work on the West Susitna Access Road project.

Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)

The state agency that estimated the total cost of the 100-mile West Susitna Access Road project at $357 million in 2021.

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

The state agency that is now allocating $135 million in public funds for the first 22-mile phase of the West Susitna Access Road project.

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What they’re saying

“Every dollar spent on the West Susitna Access Project is a dollar not spent on maintaining and improving the roads Alaskans rely on every day. Those core needs should come first, not costly bridges to nowhere.”

— Bob Butera, Civil Engineer

What’s next

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities plans to allocate an additional $55 million after 2027 for further bridges and infrastructure on the West Susitna Access Road project.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over transportation funding priorities in Alaska, with concerns that expensive new projects like the West Susitna Access Road could divert resources away from maintaining the roads and bridges that Alaskans rely on daily. The evolution of the project from a mining access route to a 'recreational road' also raises questions about the project's true purpose and beneficiaries.