They could extend the railroad to Canada. That might make a difference to the Alaska economy. But, it almost seems that there are those with the pull in DC who do not want to see Alaska's economy strengthened.
The Alaska Railroad should be connected to Canada with a sidetrack running all the way to Nome. I did not realize how important railroads were until I moved from AK to SE Idaho in 2002 - they built this country!
NYT idiots think that Point Mackenzie across Knik Arm from Anchorage is swampland. I've hunted that land and its a lot drier and more stable than the mud and silt that Anchorage sits on. Heck, I even found oil seeps on a trail while bird hunting there one October. Oh but wait, that would be an oil spill wouldn't it? Maybe not because there was no oil company in sight...
I will be in Ketchikan and Skagway in a month, will see for myself, and of course take plenty of photos.