Congress passed the omnibus spending bill late last year, which provides $16 million in funding to Juneau-based projects.
Funding items include ongoing analysis for a second bridge between Douglas and a new youth service center.
The city will receive $2.5 million to build and design a commercial-scale composting plant. Rorie Watt, City Manager, stated that this will extend the lifespan of the landfill which currently has approximately 20 years remaining at its current level.
He said that it was in his best interest for the landfill to not fill up faster than necessary. People will likely have to pay more to send their garbage south once the landfill is full.
This could reduce wastewater treatment costs and keep compostable material from being thrown away by garbage disposals. Watt stated that the exact location of the facility has yet to be determined. However, Watt suggested the gravel pit located near Costco or Home Depot as an option. Juneau Composts is a privately owned service that leases land in the area.
A $7 million grant will be given to the city for the construction of a second link between Douglas Island, Juneauspan styling=”font-weight 400 ;”>. Watt stated that a second bridge could improve access to Douglas Island, where new housing can be built. It could speed up the response time of police and firefighters to Douglas incidents and allow Juneau residents to access Eaglecrest ski areas.
He said that has been a community goal over the past decades and decades.
Federal funding will allow the city to continue its environmental and site selection processes. Watt estimates that the project will likely cost more than $100 millions and require several years of planning, community meetings, and extensive research.
$750,000 will be given to the University of Alaska Southeast to fund a training program for commercial drivers’ licenses span styling=”font-weight 400 ;”>. After the bill was passed, Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke to reporters and stated that there is a long-standing need for a program tailored to Southeast Alaska. Some communities may not have the necessary road features to obtain the license.
Murkowski stated that if there aren’t on-and-off ramps in places like Utqiagvik or Ketchikan, how can you get your CDL?
This bill also allocates $5 million towards a new building that will house several local non-profits serving families and children, as well as a child care center.
JAMHI will receive $870,000 to renovate its youth services center and provide mental and behavioral health services in Juneau.
