Knik Arm Bridge

The Knik Arm Bridge is a proposed 1.74-mile bridge across Cook Inlet's Knik Arm to link the two fastest growing parts of Alaska – Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The project consists of a 1.74-mile-long bridge with 18 miles of connector roads, including on and off ramps, and a $50 million cut and cover tunnel under Government Hill. Current cost estimates are between $700 and $800 million. Proponents say the crossing would provide access to much-needed residential, commercial and industrial land; create jobs; reduce the cost of transportation to Interior Alaska and the North Slope; lessen carbon emissions and provide an alternative transportation route out of Anchorage. Opponents say the crossing would create unnecessary urban sprawl in the Anchorage area, would be more expensive and less used than projected, would divert limited transportation funding away from more critical projects, would disrupt the Government Hill neighborhood, and negatively impact the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales.