West Susitna Access

Project Information Highlights

VIDEO | Community Update Meeting | March 31, 2023 | Evangelo's - Wasilla
Economic Analysis Results for the West Susitna Access Project | A recent economic analysis was conducted for the West Susitna Access Project. The study was conducted by the McKinley Research Group and commissioned by the State of Alaska Office of the Governor.
Please click here to review highlights of the report
Please click here to access the full report

Project Overview

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), in coordination with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) and industry partners, is in the pre-development feasibility stage of planning for a multi-use public access road leading to resource development opportunities, that will diversify the state and borough economy and lead to job creation. Please click here to view the full WSAP Project Fact Sheet.

Project Need

This roadway is anticipated to provide access to many resources and increase utilization of Port MacKenzie for import and export opportunities.

Project Location

The West Susitna Access Road is approximately 100 miles long, starting at Ayershire Road and heading northwest to the vicinity of the confluence of the Talachulitna River and the Skwentna River, then crossing the Skwentna river and continuing generally along the proposed Donlin Gold gas pipeline rout on the north side of the Skwentna River. Near the Happy River crossing, the rout would diverge away from the Donlin Gold gas pipeline route and continue west to a point of tie-in with existing mineral exploration roads. Approximately 57 miles of this segment would follow the proposed Donlin Gold gas pipeline route.

Map of Project Route and Area

Map of Resources and Opportunities

Map of Project Route & Satellite Imagery

Project Benefits

The anticipated benefits of this project west of the Susitna River include the delivery of many new opportunities for Alaskans. The state’s economy will enjoy growth and jobs from the extraction of minerals, oil and gas development, agricultural production, harvest of timber resources, harnessing of alternative energy, and recreation access.

Mining: Gold, silver, copper, strategic metals
Agricultural: 65,000 acres to improve Alaska's food security
Energy: Oil, gas, and carbon ore potential
Forest/Timber: Harvest of timber for sale or to remove beetle-killed forest to reduce wildfire risk.
Jobs: Thousands of career-track jobs in mining, energy, construction, and transportation sectors.
Recreational Access: 6 million acres
Telecommunications: Options for bringing broadband to the region
Emergency Services: Access for fire suppression and search & rescue teams
Land Sales: Road access to tracts of land offered in state land sales

Current Status

The WSAP is currently in the Pre-Development and Permitting stage. Most recently, the US Army Corp of Engineers (Corps) accepted AIDEA's Department of Army (404/10) Permit Application for the West Susitna Access Road. This will allow the Corps to initiate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which will allow many opportunities for public input into this important project for the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and all of Alaska.

Public-Private Partnership

In 2019 AIDEA and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provided a partnership framework for a phased feasibility analysis of the West Susitna Access.
Today AIDEA and MSB, along with Alaska Operations LLC, are the initial public and private partners in Phase 2 of the West Susitna Access Project. Other private entities may participate in future development efforts.
The project will touch on land use planning. Alaska’s Legislature directed land use plans are required for the utilization of state-owned land. Alaska Statute 38.04.065: (a) Except as provided in (d) and (h) of this section, the commissioner shall, with local governmental and public involvement under AS 38.05.945, adopt, maintain, and, when appropriate, revise regional land use plans that provide for the use and management of state-owned land.
The process under which this project will go forward assures meaningful participation in the planning for access and road development. Local governments, state and federal agencies, area land owners and the public will be involved at each step along the way as any regional land use Plan is adopted.
A non-profit group based in the Mat-Su Borough, “the Friends of West Susitna”, formed in 2022 to support the West Susitna Access Project. AIDEA is in communication with the Board of this non-profit and intends on providing updates to them as the project develops.