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Murkowski has long supported the idea of a road tying the capital to the rest of Alaska. However, few in his administration have spoken openly of the benefits it would bring to the long-dormant Kensington Mine, which is in the process of resuming operations.

The overall aim of the project is to link Juneau with Skagway, said Murkowski, who leaves office next week. For now, he said, "It is a step-by-step process, and I fully support it."

The process includes better access to the mine, he said.

"What we are going to do is, we are going to proceed with the road to the Jualin opening, where the road to the mine starts, so that people can get back and forth to the mine," he said.

Murkowski said it is important to ensure the city's economic vitality, especially because of the potential for "capital creep," which he described as "a gradual movement of odds and ends and people away from the capital."

Gov.-elect Sarah Palin is to be sworn in Dec. 4. and, in a break with tradition, chose Fairbanks for the site of the ceremony. That, along with her announcement this week that state department heads may live outside of Juneau, has raised concerns that Palin will contribute to capital creep.

"I think it is more important to recognize we have 300 odd jobs here," Murkowski said. "That should be the priority to use of state funds."

Should state money fund a road to benefit a private corporation?

Sure, Murkowski said, because "this is what keeps Juneau going. (The mine) has payrolls, they contribute to the economy of Juneau and that is very important, particularly at a time when you have more movement of state government."

Murkowski opponents have denigrated the northbound road as a pet project the governor is attempting to push through in the waning days of his administration. Objectors have called it unnecessary and a threat to wildlife.

"I'd suggest that those folks get real and recognize that this is the capital of the state of Alaska," Murkowski said. "You just can't ignore that fact. If the capital is going to be maintained (in Juneau), accessibility is a major reality.

"Obviously you have different administrations that have different ideas of what money should be spent," he said. "This administration feels you should have a road to the mine."

Mining company officials have long been reluctant to discuss the road project.

"The short answer is that we do not have a position on the Juneau access road," said Scott Lamb, spokesman for Coeur Alaska, the mine's parent company.

"The Kensington project is permitted for daily ferry transport and this remains our plan," Lamb said. "So, clearly, the mine project continues to move forward regardless of what might happen with the road."

The Kensington Mine is located about 45 miles north of Juneau, within the borough limits. When open, the mine is projected to produce approximately 2,000 tons of ore per day and 400 tons per day of tailings over the course of its 10-year life span. The mine will employ an estimated 225 full-time workers.

The mine site was originally developed between 1897 and 1938, with more recent exploration taking place during the 1980s and 1990s.

• Brittany Retherford can be reached at brittany.retherford@juneauempire.com.