present, a ferry service runs to the island, but some in the town Every day, another news organization affirms that Sarah Palin was for it before she was against it. Alaska's Gravina Island (population less than 50) will soon be connected to the megalopolis of Ketchikan (pop. Sarah Palin as the controversy was unfolding and she told him . To get to the trailhead: From the 210 freeway in Azusa, take exit 40 north on Route 39. Market data provided by Factset. The audit also said the highway construction appeared to have been rushed to get it done before Murkowski left office, and that the department violated procurement rules by shortening bidding deadlines to get the construction awarded. its remote location makes it a rare tourist sigh - bridge to nowhere stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . them by the taxpayers. It has also become an embarrassment to the Now, thanks to recent news events, this image just may havea life after all. Im 62 years old, and now just finding out about pet projects, especially a bridge to no where..Im truly in shock.i watch Alaska Frontier n Homestead, and I love the Alaskan way, if only I knew sooner, about pet projects, and Im sure others feel same way, IV would have voiced my opinion sooner, God Bless Alaskans..and Alaska ?? "It was built to the standard to be able to have traffic moving at a decent clip," said state Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeremy Woodrow. In response to an inquiry of whether Palin could have stopped construction, Stapleton told Boudreau that Palin had "no viable alternative" because Congress had already granted the earmark and the contract for the road was signed before Palin took office. Sarah Palin came into office after having ousted Murkowski in the 2006 primary, she stopped the bridge project, saying it had lost congressional support. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska. This one-lane historic bridge was built in the early 1900s, from 1909-1910, as a one-track railroad bridge for the Copper River and . Rumors say that it took less than 8 days to build, and the first train ran across its length on January 28, 1911. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Gov. I might be missing out on some business opportunities. Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) spoke in support of a motion to recommit the bill (i.e., end the funding)[54] In response, Rep. Mica (R-FL), spoke in opposition (i.e., keep the funding). And he contacted me and he said he wanted to do a story on it. But it still hopes to acquire more land there for future development, he said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Your email address will not be published. SIEGEL: One reason this is so important to the GOP is that as late as 2006, Palin was taking a very Alaskan view of the bridge project. The bridge was built in 1929 in the name of Henry Harrison McPhaul, a notable resident of Yuma. Guest Blogging: Bridges to Nowhere and Beyond Arguably his most controversial move came in 2005, when he pushed to get more than $200m (107m) of federal earmarked to build Alaska's "bridge to nowhere", a project that was ultimately dropped . "Gov. Thanks for the Ketchikan perspective. Miles Glacier Bridge is a four-span through truss bridge located in the U.S. state of Alaska. When she was running for governor in 2006, Palin said she was insulted by the term "bridge to nowhere," according to Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, a Republican . The window is now while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist. And one night, had a couple beers in me, and I got a little more creative and I came up with the term Bridge to Nowhere. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Mr. ASHDOWN: Yeah. [19] Because "no one seems to use" this road, it has been called the "road to nowhere" by CNN, many local Alaskans, and several other media sources. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Please contact us through messages. H.R. Click for larger version. [38][39][40][41] Howard Kurtz called this a "whopper", writing: "She endorsed the remote project while running for governor in 2006, claimed to be an opponent only after Congress killed its funding the next year and has used the $223 million provided for it for other state ventures. authority to be trusted with hard-earned tax dollars. SIEGEL: That's Keith Ashdown of Taxpayers for Common Sense talking with us about the Bridge to Nowhere, a term that he is credited with coining for the notorious Alaska earmark. SIEGEL: Called by its critics, The Bridge to Nowhere, that was April 10th. Dubbed the "Bridge to Nowhere," the bridge in Alaska would connect the town of Ketchikan (population 8,900) with its airport on the Island of Gravina (population 50) at a cost to federal taxpayers . And yes, the cruise ship issue is a huge money costing factor as well as far as how big the bridge would have to be. Boudreau spoke to Mike Elerding, Palin's former campaign coordinator. [18], In September 2006, during her campaign for Governor, Sarah Palin visited Ketchikan to express her support for the Gravina Island Bridge project. It was good that this project was killed by Governor Palin, but it's not correct that it saved any money. As anyone running for statewide office in Alaska, to oppose a project like this would have been a political suicide. responsible senators should relish and, through their votes, show document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We will never spam or share your email! Share. In 2005, legislation backed by Stevens to build a so-called "bridge to nowhere" became a . This is also the site of Southern Californias only commercial bungee-jumping operation, run by Bungee America. Members of the Alaskan congressional delegation . pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska. One House of Alaska and the U.S. Congress. find themselves tarred by the same brush dipped in the muck of the The bridge has a height of 50ft and a width of 100 feet. If Alaska loses "We went through political hot water tons of it and not just nationally but internationally," Ketchikan-Gateway Borough Mayor Joe Williams said. Today, the lonely Bridge to Nowhere still arcs gracefully over the San Gabriel River, providing one of Southern Californias oddest, albeit epic, hiking destinations. Collect, curate and comment on your files. A bridge to nowhere. Even at that, I dont know if there is much money to be made! Behind the Bridge to Nowhere Ketchikan Alaska As We See It - Through Photographs Fiction Condition: Very Good From a smoke free / Pet free environment If there is a problem with your item once you receive it. You know, the senator has been committed to cutting wasteful spending for a long time. Back in 2005, Young and Sen. Stevens tried to get $223 million for the bridge. Available for both RF and RM licensing. But ferry access isn't likely to provide the kind of developable land Ketchikan needs, he said. Earmarking foes and fiscal . She killed the Bridge to Nowhere - that is correct. The Gravina Island Highway was to become part of what's officially known as the Gravina Access Project to better connect the city with Ketchikan International Airport. I never did anything with this photo, once the funding was lost and the project fell out of the news, the image had little value . Milk the next few months for all you can license wise, nothing like a local celebrity to drive your image sales. people of Alaska and to responsible members of Congress who now SIEGEL: But by that time, John McCain had long since seized upon the Alaska bridge as the epitome of all that's wrong with Washington. Typically the flow is only a foot or two deeprefreshing on a warm daybut it can swell to impassable after big storms. Ketchikan, do not value the Gravina Island bridge project, its All rights reserved. "The governor was left no viable alternative," Stapleton said. With stunning scenery, a beautiful bridge, and the Alaska Railroad nearby, this great hike should be on your Alaska bucket list. The project also had a history of federal appropriations showing support there as well, it said. They called the state's decision premature, saying it came without warning. Great scenery, plenty of interesting details, and a clear, well-marked path. Free or royalty-free photos and images. was simply impractical. That's where the bridge was supposed to pick up." [28] A month later, in September 2007, Palin formally canceled the project. How can we help to get that bridge to no where? and voting to keep them there. Campaign spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said Palin would not have allowed the road project to go forward under normal circumstances. would direct at most $75 million to Louisiana, with the remaining In August 2007, Alaska's Department of Transportation stated that it was "leaning" toward alternative ferry options, citing bridge costs and the reluctance of Governor Palin to pay the state's match to the appropriated federal funds. Congress should be eager to zero out its funding. or redistributed. "Leadership staffer suggested that retribution could be levied for its discretion for road projects. Mr. KEITH ASHDOWN (Chief Investigator, Taxpayers for Common Sense): We spent several months trying to figure out, you know, how could we make this sexy, so to speak, for the lower 48 states and for the news media. Located on a hiking trail in Denali National Park, this easy trail takes you along the river to a bridge right in the middle of nowhere. BH Photo #131225 Pass San Gabriel Reservoir and turn right on East Fork Road. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. , Your email address will not be published. According to USA Today, the bridge was to have been nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 1.7mi (2.7km) long, and "higher than the Brooklyn Bridge". In advertisements, McCain labeled the bridge as wasteful spending,[43] and in an August 2007 town hall speech recorded on video[44] and quoted again on April 30, 2008,[45] he blamed the Minneapolis I-35 bridge collapse on the Gravina Island Bridge. Have you ever hiked the bridge to nowhere in Alaska? [36][37] These claims have been widely questioned or described as misleading in several newspapers across the political spectrum. [26] On January 17, 2007, she sent a revised budget to the president of the Alaska Senate that would restrict capital spending and rescinded the $185 million state share of the bridge funding.[27]. In November 2006, Sarah Palin is elected and from what we can tell, she was supporting it. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. money for the bridges to nowhere and Congress will apply the money the Senator seems to view $75 million in taxpayers' dollars as a the bridge to nowhere is a unique and historical landmark in the development of new zealand. On October 20, 2005, H.R. Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of HuMu Media, an Alaska-based media company. A spokeswoman for Young said the congressman would have no comment. Gov. Dubbed the "bridge to nowhere," it would have connected the small city of Ketchikan to its airport on nearby Gravina island, and it secured a $223 million earmark in 2005. The final stretch leads to the high-walled canyon known as the Narrows, where water squeezes through a deep and narrow gorge, spanned by the Bridge to Nowhere. Remember the "Bridge to Nowhere"? Unfinished highway bridges at the water reservoir Svihov. It's a 10-mile round-trip hike on the East Fork Trail along the San Gabriel River. Meandering through a forest, and along a gorgeous river, this hike offers it all. You guys do an amazing job! There is a lot of snow out there already, or is this from last year? The Adults-Only Island In Alaska Where You Can Enjoy Some Much-Needed Peace And Quiet, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Alaska Is The Perfect Trip Destination, Denali Park Road To Mountain Vista Is Now Open Heres What You Need To Know, 4 Must-Visit Flea Markets In Alaska Where Youll Find Awesome Stuff, Follow The River On This Simple 2 Mile Hike Through The Mountains In Alaska, Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Alaska, This Abandoned Railway Hike In Alaska Is A Historic Treasure, The Easy, Scenic Horseshoe Lake Trail In Alaska Is A Trail The Whole Family Will Enjoy. serve a tiny fraction of the state's citizens. Sarah Palin let the "Road to Nowhere . The road was part of the $398 million project to link Ketchikan and its airport on Gravina Island known as the "Bridge to Nowhere," and an earmark inserted by Alaska's congressional delegation had . Bridge to Nowhere photo, Ketchikan, Alaska. bill to transfer the $223 million that Congress had previously McCain himself also weighed in on the Gravina Island Bridge. Never mind that effective thing that the residents of Ketchikan could do to help A trail proceeds from their to the mining area at Taylor, Alaska. Senator told a closed-door meeting of conservatives that the plan Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Keep up the great work! Pass San Gabriel Reservoir and turn right on East Fork Road. It will take about an hour and a half to complete it, depending on your skill levels. We Don't Need Another "Bridge to Nowhere". WASHINGTON President Biden's push to make his $2.3 trillion infrastructure bill a truly bipartisan affair is running up against a predictable but intractable problem: a lack of Republicans willing to come along. The bridge is 1,550 feet (470 m) long across the Copper River. . 15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didnt Know About Denali National Park. GRAVINA ISLAND, ALASKA . its remote location makes it a rare tourist sigh - bridge to nowhere stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images The trail is graded and well-marked and youll climb no more than 374 feet of elevation throughout the hike. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Under mounting political pressure over pork projects, Congress stripped the earmark or stipulation that the money be used for the airport, but still sent the money to the state for any use it deemed appropriate. Not all the people in that community even were asking for a $400 million or $300 million bridge. In the meantime, Bridge to Nowhere works for me. JUNEAU -- The name "Bridge to Nowhere" still rankles in Ketchikan 10 years after congressional opponents of earmarks used it to attack federal money for the bridge to nearby Gravina Island and the city's airport. its remote location makes it a rare tourist sigh - bridge to nowhere stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images This is all very cool, but it means calling the watercourse the Gilahina river actually translates as Gilahi river river. In addition to the road itself, another $11 million was spent building a 700-foot-long tunnel under the Ketchikan airport runway to get to the Gravina Island Highway from the airport terminal. Palin interrupted Gibson and insisted, "I was wearing a T-shirt with the zip code of the community that was asking for that bridge. Post-Convention Check-In With The Political Junkie. Required fields are marked *. SIEGEL: Ultimately though, if the earmark was changed, it no longer was dedicating this $223 million to the bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina Island. Even at $223 million, the earmarks for the bridge that was supposed to connect Ketchikan to Gravina Island, Alaska, population roughly 50, has had remarkably durable legs as a campaign issue. Youll come along the river about halfway through your hike, and its a good place to take a quick rest if you need one. I would not get in the way of progress. This loop trail is just under three miles long, and a beauty to behold. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. With the Bridge to Nowhere a national laughingstock, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., in October 2005 proposed an amendment that would have redirected $125-million in funding for the Alaska bridge . You supported that bridge before you opposed it. You can add on to the loop by taking other trails that connect and making it longer. The next year, they changed the language. One Sunday not that - couple of years ago, on the front of Parade, the insert in everybody's Sunday newspaper was the picture of the bridge. She killed the bridge and saved taxpayers money. It started in 2002, he says, when he got a tip about a huge pork barrel project. Share your stories, Palin meets with world leaders ahead of VP debate, Obama: McCain wants to 'gamble' with Social Security, Read Abbie Boudreau's "backstory" blog on "Road to nowhere", Road on Alaskan island was built with some of $223 million in taxpayer money, Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein calls the road a waste of money, Road was supposed to be access connector to the failed 'Bridge to Nowhere', 'Bridge to Nowhere' has become symbol of excessive spending. Remember Alaska's "Bridge to Nowhere," a $400 million span that was supposed to connect Ketchikan to its airport on sparsely inhabited Gravina Island? His advertising and comments that (before September 21, 2006) contradicted Governor Sarah Palin's support of the bridge drew the attention of the media[46] when he chose Palin as his running mate, opening the ticket to charges of hypocrisy. [8], A ferry runs to the island every 30 minutes, and every 15 minutes during the MaySeptember peak tourist season. 8,000) by a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate and higher . "But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened.". Palin could have stopped construction of this road," said Weinstein, who wore his "Nowhere, Alaska" T-shirt to an interview with CNN. Based upon your other photos from Ketchikan, it looks like all the money was needed because it was to be a tall bridge so the cruise ships could get underneath it! Senator Coburn's amendment to defund the bridge, one prominent Or if your idea of fun is plunging off the side of a bridge, a bungee cord attached to catch your fall, then you could be up there too. Weight Limit is 10 tons. "It'd be nice to see them put something over here now they have a road: park, picnic benches, something to get people out here," said P.J. The bridge was projected to cost $398 million. threat. The 3.2-mile road was built at a cost of $28 million by Kiewit Pacific Co. of Anchorage. You know, wearing shirts that said I'm from nowhere Alaska to saying, we have to support our congressional delegation, their efforts to bring money back to our state. 10 Bridge To Nowhere Was Built In 1936 As Part Of The California State Route 39 Highway Project. the blue duck lodge located in the whanganui national park is a working cattle farm with a focus on conservation. The hike is within Denali National Park, which is a designated wilderness. But the "Road to Nowhere" is alive and well. ", Back in Anchorage, Share your stories. Fiscally responsible Members of KETCHIKAN, Alaska (CNN) -- The "Bridge to Nowhere" may have been shelved. Crazy times. The bridge would have used two high spans to connect the two big islands, as well as Pennock Island, in the channel between the two. Keith Ashdown, the chief investigator for the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, is credited with naming the bridge. The one section to the left looks like it is about to fall down already. area.". The legend on the shirt was "Nowhere Alaska 99901", referencing the buzzword of "Bridge to Nowhere" and the primary ZIP code of Ketchikan. Spanning the Gila River, the McPhaul Bridge was built in 1929 and is just shy of 800 feet in length. Palin has been heavily criticized for repeating the stock line about killing the "Bridge to Nowhere" without noting that she supported the project as a candidate for governor. In the years 1965-1975 was carried construction of a water reservoir Svihov and both bridges were flooded almost to the level . some of its pork, they fear, so might they. The borough shifted its support from the bridge to the ferry when it realized the bridge was never going to happen, Bockhorst said. Nice to actually see where my tax dollars were supposed to be spent (hope you enjoyed them even if you didnt get the bridge ). Sarah is speaking in Anchorage on Saturday, but I would rather be in Denali thats where Im heading! Frank Murkowski ordered work on the bridge project to begin with the construction of the highway south from the airport to the channel between Gravina Island and Revillagigedo Island, on which Ketchikan resides. When DOT last month selected a ferry as its preliminary "preferred alternative" for the project, the bridge cost estimate had climbed to $450 million. The trail crosses the river so often that you quickly abandon all hope of dry feet. Gov. 546 reviews of Bridge to Nowhere "This hike reigns supreme as my favorite day hike in SoCal. When new Gov. 662 passed both houses of Congress and became Public Law 112-5. congressional leadership, support its resistance. In American politics, Alaska is famous for wasted money on a "bridge to nowhere" in the early 2000s. Call this the Railroad to Nowhere. That's progress. Because the trestle sits right beside where the McCarthy Road currently runs, its become a significant vista for most visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve; Id rather see it NOT maintained, and let it disappear into the woods over time, but thats clearly not going to happen. Bridge to Nowhere. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The earmark for the infamous Alaska bridge, referred to as the "bridge to nowhere" allocated $223 million dollars to build a bridge from Ketchikan, Alaska, to a tiny island. Perhaps the Port and the City team up and construct a bridge near Harbor Square. For the first eight years after its completion in 1921, it was the tallest bridge in the United States. The bridge has a height of 50ft and a width of 100 feet. Im sure the ferry owner is happy. Federal Highway Administration spokesman Doug Hecox stated that Palin could have opted not to use the federal earmark, which would have allowed Congress the opportunity to send it to other federal needs. selfish shortsightedness in sending these scoundrels to Washington 17 July, 2021 Pictured: Children jump off the famous Bridge to Nowhere at Belhaven Bay in Dunbar as the sun sets on the Bass Rock. Last fall, after House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) earmarked $223 . Following the construction of the island highway, the $28 million expenditure wound up being used by both bridge supporters to make the case for construction and bridge critics who called it a boondoggle. Its a rickety ole job, at this point, and walking across it with nearly a foot of snow covering each board was, uhhm, sketchy. Then-Gov. road in the morning fog - bridge to nowhere california stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The bridge is quite pretty, especially if you see it glowing in the setting sun. Local officials have said access to Gravina Island, population 50, is needed for the town and its economy to grow. Legal Statement. I told the Congress, thanks, but no thanks on that Bridge to Nowhere. Alaska should request that the funds appropriated for our bridges Ketchikan is Alaska's entry port for northbound cruise ships that bring more than 1 million visitors yearly. Your email address will not be published. It features wide shoulders and sweeping curves to handle the large volume of traffic the road was expected to see one day. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. [50][52], Alaska Department of Transportation spokesman Roger Wetherell disagreed, stating that Palin could have canceled the contract upon taking office and reimbursed contractors for any expenses incurred in association with the project, as happened when Palin cancelled a $18.6 million contract on a Juneau road and reimbursed the contractor for $65,500 in expenses. Mr. ASHDOWN: The senator is a friend of taxpayers, but that's an incorrect statement. She has dropped the line from her stump speech in the past week, but a McCain-Palin aide said that her prepared remarks are being tweaked as needed to reflect current events, and it could come back again. Despite the [50][51], CNN reporter Abbie Boudreau took a helicopter over the road. Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein calls the road, which was paid for by federal tax dollars, a waste of money that could have been used to fix his city's roads and sidewalks. "There is no question we desperately need to construct new roads in this state, including in southeast Alaska, where skyrocketing costs for the Alaska Marine Highway System present an impediment to the state's budget and the region's economy," von Scheben said in a statement. I sure enjoyed my visit to your beautiful town! Sarah Palin said Friday the project was $329 million short of full funding. And in the last few years, the Alaska Republican has been a poster boy for congressional spending critics. the bridge to nowhere is a unique and historical landmark in the development of new zealand. disaster relief, Alaska's congressional delegation has dug in its The Luten Bridge Co. offers a window into a southern community's struggles with a divided social order, the introduction of wealth into local politics, and a changing economy. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. According to Alaskan state officials, the road project went ahead because the money came from the federal government, and would otherwise have had to be returned. This may be the most well-known bridge to have never been built. But some locals said they'll find some way to use the road, such as running or bicycle riding. Nowhere," the bridge in Alaska would connect the town of Ketchikan "The Bridge to Nowhere" has been a much-used phrase by the McCain Campaign. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, both Republicans, championed the project through Congress two years ago, securing more than $200 million for the bridge between Revillagigedo and Gravina islands. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He wrote this excellent piece which I think basically was its introduction to the national audience. Ketchikan, Alaska is infamous for the now-abandoned plan to expensively bridge the strait between the city and its international airport on Gravina Island, dubbed (IMO, unfairly) a "bridge to nowhere". With about three-tenths of 1 percent of the borough's land privately owned and available for development, Ketchikan needs more land, he said. It seems like a small gap for such an expensive bridge, but this is the same channel the cruise ships use toenter town, so I imagine it would have had to be a very tall bridge. DOT's Woodrow said that because the official "purpose and need" statement of the Gravina Access Project was not just to improve access to the airport but also to open developable land on Gravina Island, it is unlikely federal transportation officials will demand repayment. So the tipping point, according to McCain was a year before Palin ran in Alaska supporting the bridge. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Alaska officials have put the final kibosh on the infamous "bridge to nowhere" -- a $400 million project tucked into the federal transportation plan 10 years ago that became the symbol of . And she actively was an advocate for it. the bridge to nowhere is a unique and historical landmark in the development of new zealand. PALIN: I'm not going to stand in the way of progress, that our congressional delegation, in the position of strength that they have right now, they're making those efforts for the state of Alaska to build up our infrastructure. On Friday, Leo von Scheben, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, said the bridge money could be used to build roads in Alaska. It charges $6 per adult, with free same-day return, and $7 per automobile also with same day return as of April 2021.[9]. Alaska officially abandoned Friday a controversial $400 million public works project mockingly called the 'bridge to nowhere' that became a symbol of pork barrel spending. And every day, she repeats that she told Washington, thanks, but no thanks. A true bridge to nowhere. It was paid for by some of the $223 million in federal funding that sparked ridicule among opponents of congressional "pork-barrel" spending. RMAJN58E - Florida Keys Old Overseas Highway Bridge Bridge to Nowhere old 7-mile bridge with missing section RM 2G88E11 - Dunbar, United Kingdom.