The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority has submitted a Department of the Army Individual Permit application for the West Susitna Access Project, a proposed 78.5-mile road aimed at improving connectivity across the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and unlocking access to remote public lands and mineral-rich areas.
The road would begin approximately 1.4 miles west of Alexander Creek and extend to the Whiskey Bravo airstrip and mineral exploration camp. Following the Skwentna River’s northern edge before crossing to its southern side, the route is designed to allow year-round public access to lands that are currently difficult to reach except by air or water.
AIDEA officials describe the West Susitna Access Project as a transformative infrastructure development that would expand public and commercial opportunities, including access for hunting, fishing, and resource exploration. The primary purpose is to provide safe and reliable transportation to remote regions, in line with existing state area plans that identify a need for improved access.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy welcomed the advancement of the project, calling it a strategic move to boost economic development in the region: “AIDEA’s West Susitna Road holds significant value for Alaskans, especially local residents seeking better access to hunting, fishing, recreation, and potential opportunities in mining, processing, and manufacturing.”
Funding for the road is expected to follow a public-private partnership model similar to AIDEA’s Delong Mountain Transportation System, which supports the Red Dog Mine. That approach has previously yielded long-term economic gains through infrastructure that serves both public and private needs.
Support for the project spans political and community lines. Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries called the road “a strategic investment in our region’s future,” emphasizing its potential to provide long-overdue access for families and businesses. “Reliable road access means a stronger local economy and more opportunities for recreation and responsible development,” DeVries said.
State lawmakers have also backed the project as a critical step in unlocking Alaska’s resource potential. “The West Susitna Access is an exciting opportunity not only to unlock some of Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential, but to provide all Alaskans new access to the recreation and outdoor opportunities found in the West Su,” said Rep. Kevin McCabe.
Sen. Mike Shower highlighted the national security and economic benefits of increased access to minerals like copper, gold, and antimony. “Responsible resource development is critical for Alaska, the United States and our allies,” he said, noting the road’s potential role in supporting jobs and technology supply chains.
Public land access advocates have also weighed in. Rod Arno, public policy director for the Alaska Outdoor Council, said the group “remains in strong support of the state creating more overland access to public lands/waters for all Alaskans.” He added that resource roads have historically become gateways to outdoor recreation and that the council will monitor the project’s progress to ensure renewable resource protections remain strong.
Local business owners echoed that enthusiasm. Cindi Hermans, president of Friends of West Susitna and owner of the Skwentna Roadhouse, called the permit application a long-awaited milestone: “It has been a long time coming, and we are eager to see the positive impact it will have on our community and surrounding areas.”
The permit application marks a key regulatory step in the project’s development and begins a review process that includes federal agency input and opportunities for public comment. If approved, the project will still be subject to environmental reviews and funding agreements. Actual ground breaking could be years away.
The project reflects Alaska’s constitutional mandate to develop state lands for maximum public benefit, balancing access, economic development, and conservation.
This road should have been built a long time ago.
Another government short sighted boondoggle. The roads we already have are barely maintained, there is never enough money, and roads are needed in populated areas. This will be nothing but destructive mud bogging access and will be a mess. It won’t get adequately maintained if at all. It will also be easier access for the nefarious sector. One only needs to fly over already
accessible areas to see the kind of damage this will lead to.
What needs addressing is why “actual groundbreaking would be years away”.
Just do it, and then finish the road to Cordova.
“Actual ground breaking could be years away.”
Ya think? Elementary students today will probably be graduating high school even with a best case scenario.
This project has a chance of actual construction if, and only if, Dunleavy and Trump are followed by Republicans. If either is succeeded by a Democrat this road will again be postponed for a generation or longer (as happened 25 years ago). Having Public Broadcasting on its ear is helpful to this project. Republican legislators entering into majorities with Democrats in the Alaska Legislature is unhelpful.
Hahahahaha!!!
AIDEA?
Either dead on arrival or enormously over budget.
AIDEA’s track record is outrageous!…
Dont need it . Dont want it.
Already fine access for the public. Cant beat rivers, snow , air for access.
People happily live out there without it . Roads ruin fishing and hunting habitat. Bring in overpopulation and raise taxes to maintain them.
How about we spend that money to upgrade the maintenance of the roads already in use .
Road to whiskey bravo is dumbest “aidea”ive heard this decade .
The Legislature did not fund money for the development of a new road from Point MacKenzie to Alexander Creek.
Why? Because they recognize that there is a much greater need for the limited highway funds. This phase of the proposed project would require a bridge across the Susitna River. $175-200 million for the Bridge alone.
The SOA cut on oil is 12%, on Minerals is 3%. West Susitna delivery of minerals is challenging. At Least 95-100 miles one way. So the amortization of the investment is slim at best for SOA.
AIDEA needs to finish projects it started, Alaska Railroad Spur to Port MacKenzie, before starting a new projects.
Or better yet let the Miners build the infrastructure to access the minerals, standard practice in many places in Alaska. Like Pebble Mine or not, I do not recall them asking for SOA Highway funds to build a road so they could get rich.
Studies, lawyers and consultants need money. For only 1 million dollars a day, (the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks) you can feed a starving lawyer. Please give, it’s not your money, it is magic money that appears out of thin air.
This is actually going to be a big boon for environmentalists but they won’t admit it. This road brings lots of access to green energy projects, especially the Susitna Wind Project.
Well I for one am against it. Government taxpayer supported boondoggle.
My post earlier did not get posted.
We cannot even maintain what we already have, and need roads built in more populated areas – for actual cars. The destructive selfish mud bogging crowd of course are for it. More territory to destroy. I have real issue with the destruction spread out from every road system by large ATV’s and big rigs. I am a conservative Christian, registered Republican, but I do not consider this a ‘conservative’ issue at all. Being conservative is not a license to destroy. Nor put the burden upon taxpayers just because you want another playground. Also if you think mining companies are going to maintain the road ——- I have one of those proverbial bridges to sell you.
I’m 100% for it. Build the road.
Yes Elizabeth and the crowd you condemn own as much of this property as you own.
100% nuts Elizabeth
A PERFECT PLACE FOR THE “GRIZZLY ALCATRAZ”!