Work Begins On Shelter Cove Project

Author: Bert Stedman

Road construction teams began the clearing and grubbing work on the right-of-way for the new Shelter Cove road, which will connect Ketchikan’s road system to the U.S. Forest Service road system around George and Carroll inlets.

The two photos show the right-of-way from the ground view and an aerial view from different sections of the 7-mile project.

Shelter Cove road construction

It’s not often a new road is built in Southeast Alaska.  It took a considerable amount of time and effort by former Representative Johansen and myself as Co-Chairman of Senate Finance to acquire the funding.  Two separate bills (2008 and 2012) authorizing $29 million in state bonds had to be passed by the legislature and then approved by the voters.  My office has also spent many hours encouraging state agencies to make the project a priority and get it designed and out to bid.

Shelter Cove road construction

This is an exciting project that will allow access to our lands and waters for economic, recreational, and subsistence opportunities.

For more information, including maps, click here.

August 23rd, 2016  |  Posted in News & Comment  |  No Comments »

Construction of Swan Lake Dam Expansion Moves Forward

Author: Bert Stedman

The communities in Southeast have always worked together for decades to gain energy independence and to secure a strong economy for future generations. I am very happy to see this work ethic continue with construction on the Swan Lake Dam Expansion Project. Swan Lake Dam is part of the Southeast Alaska Power Agency that sells wholesale-generated energy to its member communities of Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Wrangell.

When this expansion project is completed this fall, the project will add 25% more storage capacity in the reservoir behind the dam. This increased storage capacity will save up to 800,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year.

The project was the #1 priority of the City of Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, and City of Saxman. The funding for this project was a mix of bonds and a legislative appropriation of $3.3 million that I secured and supported through the legislature in 2014.

New construction on Swan Lake Dam.

August 22nd, 2016  |  Posted in News & Comment  |  No Comments »

Sitka Tribe of Alaska Community Picnic

Author: Bert Stedman

On July 23^rd, Lureen and I were able to attend the Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) annual community picnic at the Baranof Playground. The turnout was great despite the rain showers Sitka was having. While we were there, the Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 President Wilbur Brown and STA Chairman Michael Baines presented me with a photo of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall (ANB Camp 1). The photos were a before and after of the renovations needed to prepare for the 100 year anniversary. While Co-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I secured funding for the restorations of several of these community halls throughout Southeast Alaska over several phases. These buildings are very valuable to the culture of our communities as organizations use the buildings for many different events.

Senator Stedman pictured with ANB President of Camp 1 Wilbur Brown and STA Tribal Chairman Michael Baines

August 2nd, 2016  |  Posted in News & Comment  |  No Comments »

Ketchikan Hospital Expansion

Author: Bert Stedman

The week before the fourth of July, I was invited and able to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Ketchikan commemorating the completion of a 70,000 square foot addition to the city-owned hospital.

Over 300 people gathered on June 25, 2016 for the ceremony, barbeque, and tours of the new hospital wing. The highlight of the tour is the new state-of-the-art surgical suite. The largest operating room in the state is now in Ketchikan. Hospital officials have told me that the new facilities have already helped to recruit experienced physicians and surgeons to Southeast Alaska.

This new addition to the Ketchikan Medical Center will benefit Southeast Alaska.  It is my hope that costly medivacs to Seattle or Anchorage will occur less frequently because of the new facilities and Southeast Alaskan families will be able to stay in Southeast Alaska.

The expansion cost roughly $62 million. I was honored to be co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee enabling me to add $20 million to lower the debt level on the hospital. I appreciate the patience of our communities with this large appropriation. This project will be very beneficial to the entire southern Southeast Alaska region.

For more information on the ribbon-cutting ceremony, here is the article from the Ketchikan Daily News.

New surgery, clinical space for KMC – Ketchikan Daily News

July 14th, 2016  |  Posted in News & Comment  |  No Comments »