The federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued its decision to allow construction and operation of the Port MacKenzie Railroad Extension. The decision is an important step in clearing the way for construction to begin on a 32-mile link from the mainline of the Alaska Railroad near Houston to Port MacKenzie.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Alaska Railroad have jointly worked on the project since 2007. The Borough has received funding from the State of Alaska in support of the project.
“Thank you Governor Parnell and Alaska Legislature for your support of this project on behalf of Borough and Alaska residents. Port Mac Rail is another outstanding opportunity for job creation,” said Borough Manager
John Moosey. Hundreds of direct construction jobs will be created by the first two construction contracts for the
rail embankment. The first construction bid is scheduled to open in December, and will construct five miles of rail embankment north of Port MacKenzie. A second construction bid package for six miles of rail embankment is planned to go out in February. The existing state funding will be used for these two segments. The Borough is requesting $60 million in state appropriations for FY2013. This new funding and funding to date would complete two-thirds of the entire rail embankment.
“This project will provide hundreds of sorely-needed jobs to Alaskans, and I am pleased to see it moving forward,” said U.S. Senator Mark Begich. “I am delighted to see that the STB approved this project. Investing in infrastructure is important as we continue to look for ways to stabilize our economy and put Alaskans to work.”

City.Mobi

Also in US today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Anchorage.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Anchorage.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.