juneaupotential west douglas development 4 changes north douglas community 2 no particular reason 2...

JUNEAU SECOND CHANNEL CROSSING

HOUSEHOLD SURVEY RESULTS

PREPARED FOR:HDR Alaska, Inc.

PREPARED BY:

Juneau • Anchorage

December 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................1

Introduction and Methodology .......................................................................................................2

Household Survey Findings ...........................................................................................................3

Douglas Bridge and North Douglas Travel ....................................................................................9

Respondent Demographics ..........................................................................................................12

Survey Instrument.........................................................................................................................14

Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Household Survey McDowell Group, Inc. • Page 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As part of the Juneau Second Channel Crossing Project, the McDowell Groupconducted a telephone survey of 301 randomly selected Juneau households. Thesurvey measured support or opposition to a second Channel crossing, reasons forthat support/opposition, preferred crossing location, concerns regarding impacts ofa second Channel crossing, and other issues. Key findings are summarized below.

• About two-thirds of Juneau residents support building a second GastineauChannel crossing, with 35 percent saying they “strongly support” and 28 percentsaying they “support” the concept.

• A minority of local residents (16 percent) are opposed or strongly opposed tobuilding another bridge. A significant number of residents (22 percent) areneutral.

Support/Oppose Second Gastineau Channel Crossing

Response Percentage

Strongly support 35

Support 28

Neutral 22

Oppose 8

Strongly oppose 8

• A second Channel crossing is the top transportation improvement priority for 24percent of Juneau residents. Only a road out of Juneau garnered more support,with 35 percent of residents considering it the most important improvement.(Respondents were asked to choose from a list of five improvements.)

• Yandukin Drive is the most popular location for a second Gastineau Channel,though opinions are mixed. One quarter (25 percent) prefer the Yandukin area,compared to Industrial Boulevard (15 percent), Sunny Drive (14 percent), andVanderbilt Hill (12 percent). A relatively small number prefer Channel Drive (6percent).

• About 70 percent of Juneau residents agree that “some development of theMendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge is acceptable for bridge constructionpurposes.”

• Two-thirds of Juneau residents (65 percent) believe improved access to the WestDouglas area is important for Juneau’s future development.

• A majority of Juneau residents (71 percent) support mixed-use development ofWest Douglas, including a mix of residential, commercial, and recreationaldevelopment.


INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

As part of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities JuneauSecond Channel Crossing project, McDowell Group was retained as an HDR Alaska,Inc. subconsultant to conduct surveys with local Juneau residents. The purpose ofthe survey was to assess local resident travel patterns and perceptions regarding theconstruction of a second Gastineau Channel crossing.

A total of 301 randomly selected Juneau residents were surveyed by telephone inSeptember 2003. Juneau residents were queried about support/opposition to asecond Channel crossing, rationale for support or opposition, preferred location for asecond Channel crossing, concerns regarding impacts of second Channel crossing(e.g., environmental), and opinions regarding mixed-use development of WestDouglas. In addition, Juneau residents that are also boat owners were questionedregarding their travel patterns over the Mendenhall Bar.

With a sample size of 301 at the 95 percent confidence level, results have a ±5.8percent maximum margin of error. That is, readers may be 95 percent certain thatany survey result is within a maximum of ±5.8 percent of the opinions of the overallpopulation.

This report presents an analysis of survey results, followed by a demographic profileof respondents and a copy of the survey instrument.


HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FINDINGS

Which of the following transportation improvements do you consider mostimportant for Juneau?

Building a second Channel crossing ranks second on a list of important transportationimprovements for Juneau, chosen by 24 percent of residents. Other popular choicesinclude a road out of Juneau (35 percent), maintaining existing infrastructure (16) andimproving the ferry system (14 percent).

Table 1. Most Important Transportation Improvement for Juneau

Response Percentage

Road out of Juneau 35

Second Gastineau Channel Crossing 24

Maintaining existing transportationinfrastructure

16

Improving ferry system 14

Improving air service 8

Other 1

Don’t know/refused 1

Which of the following represents how you feel about building a secondGastineau Channel crossing?1

The majority of respondents are either supportive (28 percent) or very supportive (35percent) of building a second Gastineau Channel crossing, while 16 percent opposethe project. One out of five residents are neutral (22 percent).

Table 2. Support/Oppose Second Gastineau Channel Crossing

Response Percentage

Strongly support 35

Support 28

Neutral 22

Oppose 8

Strongly oppose 8

1 Before this question, respondents were read: “The next several questions relate to the proposed construction of a secondbridge across the Gastineau Channel. The proposed bridge would span the ‘Mendenhall Bar’ somewhere between SalmonCreek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove area.”


Why do you support building a second Gastineau Channel Crossing?

The number one reason for supporting a second crossing is, according to residents,improved access to Douglas Island. This is followed by easing traffic on the DouglasBridge (39 percent) and improving access to Juneau (27 percent). Developmentpotential is also a factor in residents’ support, including residential development (15percent), recreational development (9 percent), and commercial development (8percent). A related response is new housing opportunities (6 percent).

Table 3. Reasons for Second Crossing Support

Response Percentage

Improve access to Douglas Island 48

Ease traffic congestion over Douglas Bridge 39

Improve access to mainland Juneau 27

West Douglas residential development 15

West Douglas for recreational development 9

West Douglas commercial development 8

New housing opportunities 6

Improve accessibility for emergency/safety 5

Stimulate local economy 3

Positive impact to property values 3

Provide alternate route to current bridge 2

New job opportunities 1

No particular reason 3

Other 15

Why do you oppose building a second Gastineau Channel crossing?

Approximately half of residents who are opposed to a second crossing (49 percent)say the reason is it is not needed. One-third cite other public projects: that otherprojects are more important (19 percent), or that it would divert funds from otherprojects (15 percent). Environmental concerns were also mentioned frequently,including impact to Mendenhall Wetlands/habitat (13 percent), negative impact onenvironment (11 percent), and negative impact on wildlife (9 percent).

Table 4. Reasons for Second Crossing Opposition

Response Percentage

Second bridge not needed 49

Other public projects more important 19

Divert funds from other local projects 15

Impact to Mendenhall Wetlands/habitat 13

Negative impact to environment 11

Operational or maintenance costs of bridge 9

Negative impact to wildlife 9

Potential West Douglas development 4

Changes North Douglas community 2

No particular reason 2

Other 23



What is your preferred location for the second Gastineau Channel crossing?

Juneau residents have varying preferences for where a second crossing should belocated. The most popular location, Yandukin Drive, is preferred by just one-quarterof respondents (25 percent). This is followed by Industrial Boulevard (15 percent);Sunny Drive (14 percent), Vanderbilt Hill Road (12 percent), Engineer’s Cut-Off (10percent), and Channel Drive (6 percent).

Table 5. Preferred Second Crossing Location

Response Percentage

Yandukin Driveacross from Fred Meyer

25

Industrial Boulevardbeyond Don Abel hardware

15

Sunny Driveacross from Williams gas station

14

Vanderbilt Hill Roadnear Western Auto

12

Engineer’s Cut-Off Roadat the end of Mendenhall Peninsula

10

Channel Drivenear Salmon Creek

6

Other 3

Don’t know 9

Refused 6

Do you agree or disagree that some development of the Mendenhall WetlandsState Game Refuge is acceptable for bridge construction purposes?2

Seven out of ten Juneau residents either agree (47 percent) or strongly agree (23percent) that some development of the game refuge is acceptable for bridgeconstruction purposes. Thirteen percent of residents disagree.

Table 6. Agree/Disagree: Some development of the Mendenhall Wetlands StateGame Refuge is acceptable for bridge construction purposes.

Response Percentage

Strongly agree 23

Agree 47

Neutral 5

Disagree 13

Strongly disagree 10

Don’t know 2

Refused 0

2 Before being asked this and the following two questions, respondents were read the statement: “Construction of asecond bridge across the Gastineau Channel could impact the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. It could also leadto residential, commercial, and recreational development of the West Douglas area. In establishing the refuge, the Cityand Borough of Juneau has maintained the right to establish a transportation corridor through the refuge.”


Do you agree or disagree that improved access to West Douglas is importantfor Juneau’s future development?

Approximately two-thirds of Juneau residents either agree (41 percent) or stronglyagree (24 percent) that improved access to West Douglas is important for Juneau’sfuture development. One out of five residents (21 percent) disagree or stronglydisagree.

Table 7. Agree/Disagree: Improved access to West Douglasis important for Juneau’s future development.

Response Percentage

Strongly agree 24

Agree 41

Neutral 10

Disagree 15

Strongly disagree 6

Don’t know 3

Refused 1

Do you agree or disagree that West Douglas should be preserved in its presentundeveloped state?

The majority of Juneau residents either disagree (46 percent) or strongly disagree (14percent) with the statement that West Douglas should be preserved in its presentstate. One out of five residents (20 percent) believe it should be preserved.

Table 8. Agree/Disagree: West Douglas should bepreserved in its present undeveloped state.

Response Percentage

Strongly agree 6

Agree 16

Neutral 14

Disagree 46

Strongly disagree 14

Don’t know 4


Do you support or oppose mixed-use development of the West Douglas area?3

A strong majority of Juneau residents either support (45 percent) or strongly support(26 percent) the mixed-use land development concept for West Douglas. Only 16percent of residents are opposed to the concept.

Table 9. West Douglas Mixed-Use Land Development

Response Percentage

Strongly support 26

Support 45

Neutral 7

Oppose 8

Strongly oppose 8

Don’t know 6

Do you own a boat? If so, how may times per year do you normally cross theMendenhall Bar with your boat?4

Just over a third of respondents said they owned a boat. Of these respondents, overhalf (57 percent) do not normally cross the Mendenhall Bar. The average number ofannual trips across the Mendenhall Bar among boat owners was 3.5 trips.

Table 10. Boat Ownership/Frequency of Mendenhall Bar Travel

Response Percentage

Yes, I own a boat 36

0 times per year 57

1 – 5 times per year 29

≥ 6 times per year 12

Average times per year 3.5 trips


No, I don’t own a boat 64

3 Before being asked this question, respondents were told, “The CBJ/Goldbelt conceptual land-use plan for West Douglasincludes a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational development.”4 Respondents identifying themselves as boat owners were told, “The next couple of questions relate to your water travelthrough an area known as the ‘Mendenhall Bar,’ which includes a seven-mile stretch of the Gastineau Channel betweenSalmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove area.


How important is it for you that a second bridge not restrict navigational accessthrough the Mendenhall Bar?

Of those who report having transited the Mendenhall Bar, half say that havingunrestricted access is very important, while 20 percent say it is somewhat important,and 29 percent say it is of little or no importance.

Table 11. Maintaining Unrestricted Navigational Access to the Mendenhall Bar

Response Percentage

Very important 49

Somewhat important 20

Little or no importance 29



DOUGLAS BRIDGE AND NORTH DOUGLAS TRAVEL

How often do you use the Douglas Bridge?

To determine frequency of Juneau-Douglas Bridge use, respondents were asked howmany times per day, week, month, or year they traveled across the Juneau-DouglasBridge. Results were summarized using total annual travel as the unit of analysis.One round-trip was recorded as two trips.

In overview, Juneau residents use the bridge an average of 820 times per year, and amedian of 416 times per year. The average number masks a wide range of averagesfrom across the community, depending on place of residences. For example, NorthDouglas residents report using the bridge an average of 1,825 times per year, whiledowntown residents report an annual average of 494 trips.

DOT&PF traffic data indicates that bridge traffic, measured in terms of annualaverage daily traffic (AADT) in 2002 was 13,562 AADT. Expanding survey results tothe entire Juneau population (11,543 households, according to the 2000 Census), usinga median value of 416 trips per year per household, suggests an AADT of 13,155.(This includes travel for personal as well as business purposes. Survey results do notinclude non-resident travel over the bridge.)

Table 12. Frequency of Douglas Bridge Use

Response Percentage






> 1500 times per year 10

Average 820

Median 416



How often do you travel to North Douglas?

Similar to the prior question, respondents were asked how many times per day,week, month, or year they traveled to North Douglas. Total frequency was calculatedon an annual basis. Juneau residents travel to North Douglas an average of 315 timesper year and a median of 125 times per year.

Table 13. Frequency of North Douglas Travel

Response Percentage







> 501 times per year 15

Average 315

Median 125


Why do you travel to North Douglas?

The vast majority (77 percent) of people who travel to North Douglas do so forrecreation purposes or to visit friends or family. Nine percent say their travel is foremployment purposes, while 5 percent live there.

Table 14. Purpose of North Douglas Travel

Response Percentage

Recreation/visit friends and family 77

Place of employment 9

Place of residence 5

Other 1



Which recreational activities do you participate in?

The number one recreational activity for travelers to North Douglas is skiing atEaglecrest (27 percent), followed by scenic viewing (25 percent). Other popularrecreational activities are hiking (18 percent) and fishing/hunting (17 percent).

Table 15. North Douglas Recreational Activities

Response Percentage

Skiing at Eaglecrest 27

Scenic viewing 25

Visit friends or family 23

Trails/hiking 18

Fishing/hunting 17

North Douglas boat landing 6

Wildlife viewing 6

Other 12


RESPONDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

The following table shows the demographic characteristics of respondents, includinggender, age, and income. Income results are comparable with the 2000 U.S. Census.Specifically, U.S. Census reports $62,000 as Juneau’s household median income.Survey results show respondent median income to be $65,000.

Table 16. Respondent Demographics

Response Percentage

Gender

Male 44

Female 56

Age

18 – 24 years 6

25 – 34 years 12

35 – 44 years 26

45 – 54 years 29

55 – 65 years 17

> 65 years 10

Average age 47 years old

Household Income

< $10,000 3

$10,000 - $19,999 2

$20,000 - $29,999 5

$30,000 - $39,999 10

$40,000 - $49,999 10

$50,000 - $59,999 11

$60,000 - $74,999 14

$75,000 - $99,999 20

$100,000 - $150,000 12

> $150,000 3

Average income $70,000

Median income $65,000

Refused/don’t know 9


The following table shows where respondents said they lived and worked in Juneau.

Table 17. Residence and Employment Location

Response Percentage

Residence

Mendenhall Valley/Back Loop/Airport 45

Downtown 14

Douglas 11

Lemon Creek/Switzer Creek 7

North Douglas 7

Auke Bay/Fritz Cove/Mendenhall Peninsula 7

West Juneau 5

Out the road beyond Auke Bay 3

Twin Lakes 1

Salmon Creek 0

Thane 0

Employment

Downtown 38

Mendenhall Valley/Back Loop/Airport 19

Lemon Creek/Switzer Creek 6

Work throughout area 5

Auke Bay/Fritz Cove/Mendenhall Peninsula 4

Douglas 3

Salmon Creek 2

Twin Lakes 2

Work outside area 2

West Juneau 1

North Douglas 1

Thane 0

Out the road beyond Auke Bay 0

Unemployed 6

Retired 13



SURVEY INSTRUMENT

PHONE # SURVEY #

INTERVIEWER NAME DATE

Hello, this is with the McDowell Group, an Alaskan research firm. We areconducting a survey of Juneau residents for the Alaska Department of Transportationconcerning local transportation improvements. We would like to ask you a few questionsregarding your thoughts about this important public issue.

1. Please stop me at the category that best describes your age group? Is it…

1� Under 18 years old [REQUEST AN ADULT. IF NONE, THANK AND END SURVEY.]

2� 18 – 24 years

3� 25 – 34 years

4� 35 – 44 years

5� 45 – 54 years

6� 55 – 65 years

7� Over 65 years

8� Don’t know

9� Refused

2. In what part of Juneau do you currently live?

1� Mendenhall Valley/Back Loop/Airport

2� Downtown

3� Douglas

4� West Juneau

5� Lemon Creek/Switzer Creek

6� Salmon Creek

7� Twin Lakes

8� North Douglas

9� Thane

10� Auke Bay/Fritz Cove/Mendenhall Peninsula

11� Out the road beyond Auke Bay

12� Don’t know

13� Refused

14� Other:

Juneau Second Channel Crossing – Household Telephone Survey(300 Households Randomly Selected)


3. In what part of Juneau do you currently work?

1� Mendenhall Valley/Back Loop/Airport

2� Downtown

3� Douglas

4� West Juneau

5� Lemon Creek/Switzer Creek

6� Salmon Creek

7� Twin Lakes

8� North Douglas

9� Thane

10� Auke Bay/Fritz Cove/Mendenhall Peninsula

11� Out the road beyond Auke Bay

12� Don’t know

13� Refused

14� Other:

4. Which of the following transportation improvements do you consider most important for Juneau?

[ONE RESPONSE ONLY - ROTATE RESPONSES]

1� Maintaining the existing transportation infrastructure

2� Improving the ferry system

3� Improving air service

4� Building a road out of Juneau

5� Building a 2nd Gastineau Channel crossing

6� Don’t know

7� Refused

8� Other:

5. How often do you use the Douglas Bridge?

[COUNT ROUNDTRIP AS 2 TIMES/TRIPS]

1� times per day

2� times per week

3� times per month

4� times per year

5� Never

6� Don’t know

7� Refused

8� Other:


6. How often do you travel to North Douglas?

[COUNT ROUNDTRIP AS 2 TIMES/TRIPS]

1� times per day

2� times per week

3� times per month

4� times per year

5� Never

6� Don’t know

7� Refused

8� Other:

7a. Why do you typically travel to North Douglas?

[ONE RESPONSE ONLY]

1� Place of residence

2� Work

3� Recreation

4� Don’t know

5� Refused

6� Other:

7b. Which recreational activities?

[DO NOT READ LIST – MULTIPLE RESPONSES OK]

1� Skiing at Eaglecrest

2� North Douglas Boat Landing

3� Fishing/Hunting

4� Trails/Hiking

5� Wildlife viewing

6� Scenic beauty

7� Don’t know

8� Refused

9� Other:


READ: The next several questions relate to the proposed construction of a 2nd bridge across theGastineau Channel. The proposed bridge would span the “Mendenhall Bar” somewherebetween Salmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove area.

8a. Which of the following represents how you feel about building a 2nd bridge? Do you…

1� Strongly support

2� Support

3� Neutral

4� Oppose

5� Strongly oppose

6� Don’t know/undecided

7� Refused

READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: West Douglas is the backside of Douglas Island beyond where theDouglas Highway currently ends.

8b. Why do you support building a 2nd bridge?


1� Improve access to Douglas Island

2� Improve access to mainland Juneau

3� Ease traffic congestion over Douglas Bridge

4� Open West Douglas for residentialdevelopment

5� Open West Douglas for commercialdevelopment

6� Open West Douglas for recreationaldevelopment

7� Provide alternative route in case DouglasBridge is inaccessible.

8� Improve accessibility for safety/emergencyresponse teams.

9� Stimulate local economy

10� Positive impact to property values

11� New housing opportunities

12� New job opportunities

13� No particular reason

14� Don’t know

13� Refused

14� Other:

8c. Why do you oppose building a 2nd bridge?


1� Negative impact to Mendenhallwetlands/habitat impacts

2� Potential development of West Douglas

3� 2nd Bridge not needed

4� Negative impact to property values

5� Property tax increase

6� Operational or maintenance costs

7� Diverts funds from other local projects

8� Other public projects are more important/not apriority for community

9� Negative impact to environment

10� Changes the North Douglas community

11� Negative impact to wildlife

12� Restricts access to Mendenhall Bar

13� No particular reason

14� Don’t know

15� Refused

16� Other:


READ: Various preliminary options between Salmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula are beingconsidered for the site of the proposed 2nd bridge.

9. What is your preferred location for the 2nd Gastineau Channel bridge?

[ONE RESPONSE ONLY - ROTATE RESPONSES]

1� Channel Drive near Salmon Creek

2� Vanderbilt Hill Road near Western Auto

3� Sunny Drive across from Williams Gas Station

4� Yandukin Drive across from Fred Meyer

5� Industrial Boulevard beyond Don Abel Hardware

6� Engineer’s Cut-Off Road at the end of the Mendenhall Peninsula

7� Don’t know

8� Refused

9� Other:

READ: Construction of a 2nd bridge across the Gastineau Channel could impact the MendenhallWetlands State Game Refuge. It could also lead to residential, commercial, and recreationaldevelopment of the West Douglas area. In establishing the Refuge, the City and Borough ofJuneau has maintained the right to establish a transportation corridor through the Refuge.Please indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with thefollowing statements.

1

StronglyAgree

2

Agree

3

Neutral

4

Disagree

5

StronglyDisagree

6

Undecided/Don’t know

7

Refused

10. Some development of theMendenhall Wetlands StateGame Refuge is acceptable forbridge construction purposes.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

11. Improved access to WestDouglas is important forJuneau’s future development.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

12. West Douglas should bepreserved in its presentundeveloped state.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7


READ: The CBJ/Goldbelt conceptual land-use plan for West Douglas includes a mix of residential,commercial, and recreational development.

13. Do you strongly support, support, oppose, or strongly oppose mixed-use development of theWest Douglas area?

1� Strongly support

2� Support

3� Neutral

4� Oppose

5� Strongly oppose

6� Don’t know/undecided

7� Refused

14. Do you own a boat?

1� Yes

2� No [GO TO Q16 ON NEXT PAGE]

3� Don’t know

4� Refused

READ: The next couple of questions relate to your water travel through an area known as the“Mendenhall Bar”, which includes a seven-mile stretch of the Gastineau Channel betweenSalmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove area.

15a. How many times per year do you normally cross the Mendenhall Bar with your boat?

times

1� 0 or none [GO TO Q16 ON NEXT PAGE]

2� Don’t know [ONLY IF GREATER THAN 0 TIMES]

3� Refused

15b. How important is it for you that a 2nd bridge not restrictnavigational access through the Mendenhall Bar?

1� Very important

2� Somewhat important

3� Little or no importance

4� Don’t know

5� Refused


16. Please stop me at the category that best describes your total gross household income from allsources, before taxes, for 2002?

1� Less than $10,000

2� $10,000 to $19,999

3� $20,000 to $29,999

4� $30,000 to $39,999

5� $40,000 to $49,999

6� $50,000 to $59,999

7� $60,000 to $74,999

8� $75,000 to $99,999

9� $100,000 to $150,000

10� Greater than $150,000

11� Refused

12� Don’t know

17. Record gender: [DO NOT ASK]

1� Male

2� Female

3� Don’t know

Thank you for your participation in this important project!

juneaupotential west douglas development 4 changes north douglas community 2 no particular reason 2...

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