Six Groups Under Consideration for Designing, Managing of Knik Arm Bridge

The Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority has accumulated a list of six engineering and development groups willing to consider designing and managing the project if it proceeds.  The Statement of Qualifications – or SOQ from the companies will be used to make a final decision on the authority’s private partner.

The authority has also begun appraisals for the right of way into the Government Hill area of Anchorage.

However, residents in the path of the more-than $3 billion project say there’s no money yet for the job – and the Authority is getting ahead of itself.   Bob French is President of the Government Hill Community Council.

The Authority’s Board Chairman Mike Foster says Kabata is on schedule — right where it needs to be – both in the design-management phase and with getting its right of way.   He says the green light comes from the Federal Highway Administration.

Foster says the state will offer design awards to three of the six companies now on the list.  Each will receive a two million dollar grant for a detailed project proposal.   He says the state will own the companies’ work.

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