(a) The corporation may investigate extension of the Alaska Railroad from the border of Alaska and Canada to connect with the North American railroad system. The corporation may acquire land or interests in land in Canada as the corporation considers appropriate for the development, construction, and operation of an extension of the Alaska Railroad to connect with the North American railroad system.
(b) In performing the work authorized by (a) of this section, the corporation shall consider the following factors:
(1) safety;
(2) grade and alignment standards that are commensurate with rail and utility construction standards and that minimize the prospect of at-grade railroad and highway crossings;
(3) availability of construction materials;
(4) effects on and service to adjacent communities and potential intermodal transportation connections;
(5) environmental concerns;
(6) use of public land to the maximum degree possible;
(7) minimization of probable construction costs;
(8) the location of and the opportunity to obtain access to identified natural resources that could contribute significantly to the economic development of the state and Canada;
(9) avoidance of possibly unstable ground due to thawing of frozen soils; and
(10) prior and established traditional uses.
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