[35], On August 29, 2008, when introduced as Republican presidential nominee John McCain's running mate, Governor Palin told the crowd: "I told Congress, thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere" a line that garnered big applause but upset political leaders in Ketchikan. 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. To say thanks but no thanks would imply that they didn't take the money, and they got every dime of it. With Matthew Hunter, Margaret Umbers, Shelly Luxford, Stephen Judd. 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". It's actually a nice road.". Mr. ASHDOWN: No. highway bill. [7], According to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, the project's goal was to "provide better service to the airport and allow for development of large tracts of land on the island". Your email address will not be published. would be to return the money earmarked for our Gravina Bridge. This is the sort of challenge that fiscally Even at that, I dont know if there is much money to be made! serve a tiny fraction of the state's citizens. But some locals said they'll find some way to use the road, such as running or bicycle riding. Mr. ASHDOWN: Right. 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. Find the perfect Bridge to nowhere alaska stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Bridge Cordova Alaska | Miles Glacier Bridge (Million Dollar Bridge), Cordova, Alaska. It spans the deep gorge - overlooking the lovely Garry beach - one of the prettiest in the Outer Hebrides. "Maybe the 200,000 people who cross that bridge every day would have been safer than spending $233 million of your tax dollars on a bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it.". But the "Road to Nowhere" is alive and well. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska - kestonrocks.com Congress should be eager to zero out its funding. 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. Bridge to Nowhere. 10,955 Bridge To Nowhere Premium High Res Photos Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska became the object of strong media criticism when he strongly opposed diverting the Gravina and Knik Arm Bridge funds to help in the disaster aid. road in the morning fog - bridge to nowhere california stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Local officials have said access to Gravina Island, population 50, is needed for the town and its economy to grow. become an object of national ridicule and a symbol of the fiscal Sarah Palin has touted her eventual decision to abandon the Gravina Island bridge, which she initially supported. Palin interrupted Gibson and insisted, "I was wearing a T-shirt with the zip code of the community that was asking for that bridge. Meadow on one side, meadow on the other. 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. 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 . Earmarking foes and fiscal . ProPublica: Palin's Road to Nowhere - Newsweek "But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened.". The hike starts out weaving in and out the trees beneath the shaded cover of a well maintained path. effective thing that the residents of Ketchikan could do to help The Bridge to Nowhere: A National Embarrassment "We will continue to look for options for Ketchikan to allow better access to the island," the Republican governor said. From Alaska's 'bridge to nowhere' to Pyongyang's Hotel of Doom, via a 1bn arts centre with a dodgy roof, here are the world's most high-profile wastes of capital . would gain $148 million in money it could spend on the state's Palin's campaign coordinator in the city, Republican Mike Elerding, remarked, "She said 'thanks but no thanks,' but they kept the money." While the move closes a chapter that has brought the state reams of ridicule, it also leaves open wounds in a community that fought for decades to get federal help. Share. Alaska Rep. Don Young brought the world the "Bridge to Nowhere.". How can we help to get that bridge to no where? News, Dave Person wrote, "Thinking about the immense 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. Seven fish-bearing streams needed bridges. Palin could have stopped construction of this road," said Weinstein, who wore his "Nowhere, Alaska" T-shirt to an interview with CNN. Origin of bridge unknown. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A spokeswoman for Young said the congressman would have no comment. The decision in September 2004 was actually for two bridges, connecting Pennock Island in the middle, and is known as Alternative F1. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Bridge to Nowhere: Directed by Ian Mune. Its since fallen into some disrepair, as is evident from this image. All rights reserved. Today, Senator Tom At a public forum, Palin held up a pro-bridge T-shirt designed by a Ketchikan artist, Mary Ida Henrikson. 662: Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gravina_Island_Bridge&oldid=1101616620, Buildings and structures in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, Political controversies in the United States, Transportation in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Articles containing potentially dated statements from December 2006, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 31 July 2022, at 23:56. the blue duck lodge located in the whanganui national park is a working cattle farm with a focus on conservation. way of three separate earmarks in the recent highway bill. Nice to actually see where my tax dollars were supposed to be spent (hope you enjoyed them even if you didnt get the bridge ). Defunding the bridge, he said, We're talking, of course, about the famed plan to build a nearly $400 million bridge to connect the tiny Alaska city of Ketchikan to Gravina, an island with just a few dozen residents and an airport. With stunning scenery, a beautiful bridge, and the Alaska Railroad nearby, this great hike should be on your Alaska bucket list. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. pictures of the bridge to nowhere in alaska. Bridge to Nowhere - Visit California Now, thanks to recent news events, this image just may havea life after all. The critics called the road spending wasteful for the same reason. Sarah Palin came into office after having ousted Murkowski in the 2006 primary, she stopped the bridge project, saying it had lost congressional support. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Great scenery, plenty of interesting details, and a clear, well-marked path. Was it beautiful? Construction of bridges was started at 1939 but at 1950 was by communist regime the construction of highway stopped. Theres no Mickey Ds, but theres a good spot to camp, and delicious, crystal clear water in the Gilahina River. That had to be spent on the Gravina road and nothing else. Ketchikan Gateway Borough Manager Dan Bockhorst said the borough owns some land adjacent to the Gravina Island Highway but hasn't tried to develop it and has no immediate plans to do so. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In the meantime, Bridge to Nowhere works for me. A 'Bridge to Nowhere' An overstuffed highway bill A teapot museum Pork "We went through political hot water tons of it and not just nationally but internationally," Ketchikan-Gateway Borough Mayor Joe Williams said. The bridge was projected to cost $398 million. If youre visiting Denali National Park, youll want to read all about these15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didnt Know About Denali National Park. 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. The Bridge To Nowhere In Alaska Will Capture Your Imagination 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. Rep. Young requests a few earmarks 15 years after his 'Bridge to Miles Glacier Bridge, Alaska, damaged by a 1964 earthquake (photograph by Jet Lowe) Birmingham, . September 16, 2022 by James Brooks, Alaska Beacon. Biden's bridge to nowhere - Yahoo! News Tap into Getty Images global-scale, data-driven insights and network of over 340,000creators to create content exclusively for your brand. SIEGEL: This phrase has been caught by someone aspiring to the White House. Thank you! Bridge to nowhere alaska Stock Photos and Images - alamy.com Art Weiner wrote, "In a collective act of passion, the people of Sept. 19, 2008 12 AM PT. When new Gov. The whole bridge project was originally estimated to cost $230 million, including the associated roads. Pass San Gabriel Reservoir and turn right on East Fork Road. Abandoned bridge hidden deep in the San Gabriel Mountains. Make sure a trip to Denali is in your near future! Improved access was to have come from the controversial bridge, but with bridge plans officially abandoned recently, the state is now looking to better ferry service to improve access to the airport and help open Gravina Island to development. And I think it coalesced a lot of things that he had seen into, you know, one word. Alaska 'bridge to nowhere' funding gets nowhere / Lawmakers delete Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Bridge to Nowhere (1986) - IMDb their august institution of democracy still maintains the moral But Palin, now the Republican vice presidential candidate, let the access road go ahead because the contract to build it had been signed, a campaign aide said. (Creative Commons photo by Bob Weinstein) Ketchikan . It charges $6 per adult, with free same-day return, and $7 per automobile also with same day return as of April 2021.[9]. (population 50) at a cost to federal taxpayers of $320 million, by Organise, control, distribute, and measure all of your digital content. 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. Sarah Palin as the controversy was unfolding and she told him . money for the bridges to nowhere and Congress will apply the money Get credit for your contribution by submitting a complete place entry with photos. The project gained infamy in 2005 as a waste of taxpayer dollars and the funds earmarked for it were withheld. Par . 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. 8,000) by a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate and higher . Download Bridge To Nowhere stock photos. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Thanks for sharing! 10 Bridge To Nowhere Was Built In 1936 As Part Of The California State Route 39 Highway Project. "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. 465 Bridge To Nowhere Stock Photos - Dreamstime This is also the site of Southern Californias only commercial bungee-jumping operation, run by Bungee America. The window is now while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist. 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). Members of the Alaskan congressional delegation . I might be missing out on some business opportunities. Perhaps the Port and the City team up and construct a bridge near Harbor Square. "Leadership staffer suggested that retribution could be levied for A number of alternative bridge routes were considered. This covered bridge could have elevators and escalators; if medical personnel need to reach the ferry, they can use it. Alaska Rep: The 'Bridge To Nowhere' Should Have Been Built KETCHIKAN, Alaska (CNN) -- The "Bridge to Nowhere" may have been shelved. 1. Don Young's Railroad to Nowhere - POLITICO Senator Coburn's amendment to defund the bridge, one prominent Gov. 662: Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011[4][5][6] State officials eventually announced the end of the potential building in 2015. Gov. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users "Bridge to Nowhere", "Alaska: End Sought For 'Bridge To Nowhere', "Two 'Bridges to Nowhere' Tumble Down in Congress", House Vote #159 (Mar 2, 2011) On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H R 662 Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, "Alaska 'bridge to nowhere' plan is no more as state chooses ferry for Ketchikan", "Ketchikan Gravina Island Access Project", "Airport Ferry - Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK", "Ketchikan airport and ferry statistics for December 2006", "Gravina Access Project, Record of Decision, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Ketchikan, Alaska. In 2006, with the bridge in dispute and increasingly unlikely to ever be built, then-Gov. . [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.