Don Young’s Way Would Benefit Alaska Delegation’s Family And Friends

Several aides and family members connected to the Alaska Congressional delegation own land that would be opened up to development by Don Young’s Way, also known as the proposed Knik Arm Crossing.

Don Young’s Way is a proposed two-mile bridge that would cross Cook Inlet’s Knik Arm and connect Anchorage with undeveloped land in the Mat-Su Borough. Don Young sponsored an earmark of $229 million in the 2005 federal highway transportation bill for the bridge that is to be named after himself. The earmark was removed after a national uproar, but the money was appropriated anyway, without earmarking a specific project. Alaska Senators Stevens and Murkowski also sponsored earmarks for this money. [Alaska's Friends And Family Plan, Roll Call, 5/14/2007]

The proposed bridge across Knik Arm near Anchorage, along with the Gravina Island Bridge near Ketchikan, became subjects of national ridicule and drivers of earmark reform in Congress.

Then-Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Don Young began substantive work on a massive highway bill in early 2003, and he included the money for the bridge. Shortly before public work on the bill began, several people with ties to the Alaska delegation bought Knik Arm land.

Ted’s long-time aide Lisa Sutherland and her husband purchased almost four acres of Mat Su land in October 2002.

Stevens’ current Chief of Staff George Lowe owns a 2.6 acre parcel of undeveloped land on the Knik Arm, which he purchased in December 2004.

If it is ever built, Young’s family would be among those who benefit from the bridge. Young’s son-in-law, Art Nelson, is part-owner of 60 acres of now-inaccessible land that would become accessible and increase in value if the bridge were built. Nelson owns a 10 percent stake in Point Bluff LLC, which purchased two parcels on Knik Arm on Dec. 6, 2002.

Another owner in Point Bluff LLC is Trevor McCabe, a former top aide to Stevens. McCabe and his wife also own a separate parcel on Knik Arm, 3.7 undeveloped acres purchased in September 2002.
Others with ties to the delegation who would benefit if the bridge is built include Young’s daughter, Joni, and Murkowski’s state director Mary Hughes. [Roll Call, 5/14/2007; Anchorage Daily News, 12/18/2005]