Bridge to somewhere

[Chambers, Henry]

Hello all -

The airport's name is the Ketchikan International Airport.  In addition,
a substantial amount of commerce, related to tourism (apparently
Ketchikan is a stop for many Alaska cruises) and otherwise, flows
through Ketchikan.  Presumably, the bridge will help facilitate the flow
of that commerce and additional commerce that may come to Ketchikan as
it expands.  From what I can tell, Ketchikan's population has surged
from 8,000 to 14,500 in the past several years.  Spending some amount of
federal highway funds on a bridge from the airport to the town seems
clearly defensible under current constitutional doctrine.  

Conversely, spending more than $200 million in federal highway funds for
the bridge seems just plain nuts.  

-Hank

Henry L. Chambers, Jr., Professor of Law
University of Richmond School of Law
28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
804-289-8199

-----Original Message-----
From: conlawprof-bounces at lists.ucla.edu
[mailto:conlawprof-bounces at lists.ucla.edu] On Behalf Of Ronald Nelson
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 7:27 AM
To: bobsheridan at earthlink.net; jr167163e at mail1.umt.edu
Cc: conlawprof at lists.ucla.edu
Subject: Re: Bridge to somewhere

Actually, Ketchikan is one of the two "major" cities of Southeast
Alaska.  It is served by direct filghts from Seattle on a regular direct
flight bases approximately 4 times per day.  Ketchikan is the closest
city/town to the lower 48 or "outside" as it is often referred to in the
50th state.

Ron Nelson

Ronald L. Nelson, J.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Pre-Law Advisor
Department of Political Science &
Criminal Justice
HUMB 226
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
251 460 6725 rnelson at usouthal.edu