Gov. Bill Walker is allowing environmental work to move forward for the eventual construction of a 200-mile road to northwestern Alaska’s Ambler Mining District.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority will spend $3.6 million that has already been appropriated to begin the scoping portion of the environmental work necessary to start building Ambler Road.
Walker’s approval comes as clarification for an administrative order he issued shortly after taking office. That order halted all discretionary spending on six mega-projects, including Ambler Road.
While the project is still being stalled, AIDEA can now use the money to begin part of the environmental work needed for the project to move forward.
The road would run from the Dalton Highway west to the Ambler Mining District.
