[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1900-S1901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 295. A bill to amend the Denali Commission Act of 1998 to 
establish the Denali transportation system in the State of Alaska; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill to establish 
the Denali Transportation System.
  This bill in intended to help create in the same beneficial 
transportation system in Alaska as exists for every other State in the 
Union. It is patterned after a similar effort adopted years ago for the 
Appalachian region, which has demonstrated beyond any doubt that 
transportation investment is wise investment.
  The bill authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish a 
program to fund the costs of construction of the Denali Transportation 
System, at a level of $450 million per year from Fiscal Year 2004 
through Fiscal Year 2009. As new roads are constructed, they will 
become part of the National Highway System.
  As my colleagues are aware, Alaska's ability to develop a strong 
economy for the benefit of the State and the nation is deeply impaired 
by the lack of transportation. This affects all aspects of life in the 
49th State, from the delivery of fuel and essential services to 
individuals and families in our many remote villages, to our ability to 
develop Alaska's abundance of valuable natural resources. Only our 
major cities have modern roadways, and many of those remain isolated.
  No State, or its citizens, can prosper without adequate 
transportation systems. In much of the country, such systems have been 
in place since before

[[Page S1901]]

the American Revolution, and have been constantly changing, adapting 
and being upgraded ever since. In much of Alaska, in contrast, 
residents are still forced to travel between communities by boat, or on 
frozen rivers, just as they did when the Territory of Alaska was first 
purchased from Imperial Russia. In this day, and age, such a situation 
is completely unacceptable. It is a lasting mark of neglect, and it is 
past time to rectify it.
  The Denali Transportation System will provide far greater benefits 
than costs. As we enter an era where gigantic natural changes are 
occurring in the Arctic environment, and ice-free maritime 
transportation through the Arctic Ocean is expected to become a reality 
within decades, it is critical that we begin to prepare ourselves for 
those changes. Adequate transportation connections to, and within, 
America's only Arctic State are imperative.
  As we debate a Federal budget during a time when the economy is 
struggling, let us not forget that the key to long-term prosperity is 
wise investment. Investing in Alaska is investing wisely. We have 
incomparable resources and vigorous citizens. It is time we have the 
transportation system that will allow those assets to be used as they 
should.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimously consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 295

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Denali Transportation System 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. DENALI TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

       The Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; 
     Public Law 105-277) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 309 as section 310; and
       (2) by inserting after section 308 the following:

     ``SEC. 309. DENALI TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

       ``(a) Construction.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
     establish a program under which the Secretary may pay the 
     costs of construction (including the costs of design) in the 
     State of Alaska of the Denali transportation system.
       ``(2) Design standards.--Any design carried out under this 
     section shall use technology and design standards determined 
     by the Commission.
       ``(b) Designation of System by Commission.--The Commission 
     shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation--
       ``(1) designations by the Commission of the general 
     location and termini of highways, port and dock facilities, 
     and trails on the Denali transportation system;
       ``(2) priorities for construction of segments of the 
     system; and
       ``(3) other criteria applicable to the program established 
     under this section.
       ``(c) Connecting Infrastructure.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Commission may construct marine connections 
     (such as connecting small docks, boat ramps, and port 
     facilities) and other transportation access infrastructure 
     for communities that would otherwise lack access to the 
     National Highway System.
       ``(d) Addition to National Highway System.--On completion, 
     each highway on the Denali transportation system that is not 
     already on the National Highway System shall be added to the 
     National Highway System.
       ``(e) Preference to Alaska Materials and Products.--In the 
     construction of the Denali transportation system under this 
     section, the Commission may give preference--
       ``(1) to the use of materials and products indigenous to 
     the State; and
       ``(2) with respect to construction projects in a region, to 
     local residents and firms headquartered in that region.''.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 310 of the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 
     3121 note; Public Law 105-277) (as redesignated by section 
     2(1)) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Commission--
       ``(1) to carry out the duties of the Commission under this 
     title (other than section 309), and in accordance with the 
     work plan approved under section 304, such sums as are 
     necessary for fiscal year 2003; and
       ``(2) to carry out section 309 $450,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2004 through 2009.''.
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