Alaska HJR 14: Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community-minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure.

Bill Text

-1- Enrolled HJR 14
S T A T E O F A L A S K A
THE LEGISLATURE

2026

Legislative
Source Resolve No.
CSHJR 14(TRA) 26

Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail
Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska;
encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community-minded approach
to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure.

_______________

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS Alaska is the only state in the United States that borders the Arctic
Ocean; and
WHEREAS the United States Department of Defense has expanded the anti-ballistic
missile facility at Fort Greely, Alaska; and
WHEREAS the United States Army has developed new training range areas to
support the Arctic Mission; and
WHEREAS Fort Greely is the only military base that is not currently connected to the
railroad system in the state; and
WHEREAS a railroad is well suited to provide the transportation support required to

Enrolled HJR 14 -2-
sustain military operations; and
WHEREAS a cost-efficient transportation system would benefit the world-class
mining operations located near Delta Junction and projected mining operations near Tetlin;
and
WHEREAS a railroad would provide an efficient and safer alternative to industrial
hauling operations on public highways that are not designated as industrial use highways; and
WHEREAS a cost-efficient transportation system would benefit the agricultural
industry in the Delta Junction area, allowing the agricultural industry to become more cost-
efficient and competitive and increasing its ability to expand; and
WHEREAS a railroad would provide a cost-efficient method of transporting goods
and services for both mining and agricultural activities in the Delta Junction region; and
WHEREAS the Alaska Railroad system has the capacity to provide efficient
transportation services for heavy cargo and large quantities of supplies to the Delta Junction
region from the ports of Port MacKenzie, Seward, Whittier, and Anchorage and to
economically deliver mining and agricultural products from the region to market; and
WHEREAS the extension of the Alaska Railroad from Port MacKenzie to Houston,
Delta Junction, and Fort Greely is consistent with the long-term goals of the Alaska Railroad
Corporation and the State of Alaska to extend rail service to the contiguous United States; and
WHEREAS the Alaska Railroad has already completed phase 1 of the Northern Rail
Extension project by crossing the Tanana River, which brings the rail line within 70 miles of
Delta Junction and Fort Greely; and
WHEREAS the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Alaska Railroad have already
completed nearly two-thirds of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension, which brings Port
MacKenzie within 33 miles of the Alaska Railroad rail line, which is in Houston and extends
on to Fairbanks and the Northern Rail Extension project; and
WHEREAS the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension will reduce energy
and transportation costs, improve air quality, increase the efficiency of shipping bulk
commodities and materials to and from Interior Alaska, and provide direct rail access for
shipments of liquefied natural gas from Cook Inlet to Fairbanks, North Pole, and beyond; and
WHEREAS the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension will enhance the
state's resilience by establishing a strategic transportation alternative to ensure the continued

-3- Enrolled HJR 14
flow of essential goods to Interior Alaska residents in the event of a disruption at any ports in
the state or damage to critical highways from an earthquake or other natural disaster; and
WHEREAS the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension will increase the
available supply of natural gas and reduce energy costs for industry and residential customers
in many Interior Alaska communities; with increased natural gas supply, that region will
realize additional opportunities for natural gas conversion, which will aid in achieving air
quality attainment; and
WHEREAS the communities, neighborhoods, and individuals served and affected by
rail expansions should have an active role in planning, considering alternatives to, and
confirming decisions made by the Alaska Railroad regarding rail expansions;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports the completion of the
Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the urgency of
developing key infrastructure and defense capabilities, considering the investments other
nations have committed to the Arctic as well as the increased amount of time needed for those
types of projects because of the extreme weather of the region; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the Alaska
Railroad to renew its commitment to a community-minded approach to future rail exp