Assembly approves northern route for Engstrom'Bogard intersection despite public support for southern option

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly voted 4 to 3 to approve the administration's recommendation for a northern route to improve the connection between Engstrom Road and Bogard, Mayor Edna De Vries said. "The assembly did vote 4 to 3 to approve the administration's recommendation for the Northern Route," she reported.

De Vries said the decision came after extended public testimony and internal debate; she told listeners that "most of the support really were for the Southern Route." She also said a roundabout at the intersection "should be here within the next year or 18 months," but that "currently, there is no money" to start construction. The assembly's approval is a policy decision that sets a preferred alignment; it does not commit construction funds, which will need to be identified before work can begin.