Stimulate US: Sarah Palin's home state seeks stimulus project bids

Let the "bridge to nowhere" jokes begin.

Governor Sarah Palin's home state of Alaska is now seeking bids on that state's first declared stimulus project. The mammoth infrastructure investment involves the complete reconstruction of a pier and causeway at the city of Gustavus. According to the public notice of Invitation to Bid, the engineer's estimated cost for this project is between $15-and-$20 million. It is expected that all work shall be completed by December 31, 2010. Bids shall be accepted until 2 p.m. prevailing time March 26, 2009, at the Construction Contracts Office, 1st Floor, 6860 Glacier Highway, Juneau, Alaska.

In fact, this is a project which was already under consideration. Alaska had previously acquired National Park Service funds for the job. The approximately $7.7 million stimulus grant which Alaska is receiving for infrastructure improvements means that the project can now move forward.

The Capital City Weekly, website quoted Governor Sarah Palin as stating: "This new causeway will create good paying jobs and will be a great benefit to the community."

The existing pier and causeway were built in the early 1960s, and have been declared unsafe by at least one local authority. The new structures are expected to enhance both commercial and private marine usage, as well as providing improved access to Glacier National Park.

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