MAT-SU—With the news today of Alaska Governor Sean Parnell’s final state budget, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough thanks Gov. Parnell for continuing to invest in our state’s transportation infrastructure. He chose to direct $30 million in state appropriations to the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension, along with appropriations for other worthy Borough projects.

This rail link will shorten the distance for bulk resources from the Interior to tidewater, making development feasible.  Port Mac Rail will bring tremendous economic benefit to Alaska through economic diversification and state revenues. The value of mineral production is projected to be nearly $1 billion a year over the next 100 years.

The funding of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension also goes toward fulfilling the Governor’s support for rare earth mineral deposits, which could become more economical to extract with the new rail link.

For more information call Borough Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 745-9577 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photo by Patty Sullivan/MSB The haul road after it diverges from a proposed rail loop at Port MacKenzie. This road connects to Lu Young Lane.

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