By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 28, 2026 – The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority has approved up to $25 million for geotechnical drilling and other work needed to advance the proposed West Susitna Access Road toward final design.
The AIDEA Board of Directors voted unanimously, 7-0, Wednesday to adopt a resolution funding drilling, permitting, hydrologic studies, engineering and access work along the proposed route west of the Susitna River.
AIDEA says the geotechnical investigation is a critical step in turning the proposed route into a road that can be built. The data will be used to design bridge foundations, identify construction-material sites, determine culvert sizes and refine the road’s alignment.
“This is the work that turns a route on a map into a road that can actually be built,” AIDEA Deputy Executive Director Brandon Brefczynski said. “The board’s unanimous action keeps the project on schedule for the upcoming field seasons and moves us another step closer to unlocking one of the most promising resource corridors in the state.”
AIDEA developed the drilling program with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities’ Northern Region Materials Section, along with engineering and permitting consultants.
The investigation will include proposed bridge crossings along the route, including major crossings of the Skwentna River. Seismic-velocity geophysical surveys will be conducted at each bridge site.
Crews also will examine potential sources of gravel and fill, trail-overcrossing locations and sites requiring large culverts. Drill rigs and crews will be transported by helicopter between remote locations during the 2026 and 2027 field seasons.
The authorization includes money for hydrologic and hydraulic field investigations, as well as preparation of state and federal permit applications. Approvals may be required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska Department of Natural Resources and Alaska Department of Fish and Game before drilling begins.
“The board’s action today reflects our confidence in this project and our commitment to doing it right,” AIDEA Board Chairman Bill Kendig said. “West Susitna is exactly the kind of investment AIDEA was created to make — infrastructure that opens opportunity for Alaskans today and for generations to come.”
The proposed road would create a new transportation corridor on the west side of the Susitna River in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
AIDEA says it could provide access to several advanced mineral and energy prospects, including Nova Minerals’ Estelle antimony and gold project, US GoldMining’s Whistler gold prospect and Terra Energy’s coal project in the Susitna basin.
Development in the corridor could produce construction and resource-industry jobs, along with royalties and tax revenue for the state. The road also could provide year-round public access to thousands of acres of state land for recreation, settlement and other uses.
The $25 million authorization will come from AIDEA’s Revolving Fund.
The board initially approved the West Susitna Access Project as a development-finance project in 2019. Wednesday’s vote funds the next phase of its predevelopment work.
