Governor backs Alaska-Canada rail system.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Transportation - Brief Article

Now is the time for a concerted effort to develop a connection for the Alaska Railroad to the Canadian and Lower 48 rail system, Gov. Frank Murkowski told a one-day summit on the issue recently in Juneau. Attending and speaking to the summit were government leaders from the Yukon, British Columbia and Alaska, as well as railroad officials from the Alaska Railroad, Canadian National, and the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad.

"The stars are aligned for this effort," Murkowski said.

Murkowski noted the synergistic effect of building the railroad to aid in construction of a natural gas pipeline.

"The railroad could transport material, provide logistical support and...