Matanuska Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss says he was taken by surprise last week by Anchorage's suit against the Knik Arm Crossing. DeVilbiss says he's in talks with city mayor Dan Sullivan to find a solution to the municipality's concerns about having the bridge have its city side situated at the Port of Anchorage.
The municipality of Anchorage filed a lawsuit against the federal government over the proposed Knik Bridge project, which would link the Borough and the city. The suit seeks to have the court require the Federal Highway Administration set aside its decision made last December in favor of the bridge project, and send it back to the FHA for further investigation.
DeVilbiss says concerns about the Port of Anchorage expansion plan prompted the legal action.
DeVilbiss says it’s too early now to tell what all the options are, but there seems to be room for both port and bridge
Sullivan is on record in support of the Knik Arm Crossing. DeVilbiss, who took office in February, said he didn't know there were unresolved issues at the port concerning the bridge design.
DeVilbiss says the matter is getting priority attention now, and he has hopes it will be resolved as quickly as possible.
The Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority on Thursday sent out a request for companies to submit their qualifications to be chosen as developer of the proposed project.