Empire Archives is a series printed every Saturday featuring a short compilation of headline stories in the Juneau Empire from archived editions in 1985, 1995, and 2005. The stories include names, AP style, and other content of their eras.

This week in 1985, President Reagan, declaring he had established a “new partnership” with Canada, moved today to wrap up his picturesque two-day Shamrock Summit with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Trying his hand at a bit of French in this French-speaking capital, Reagan declared in French, “My friends, the eyes of all America are on Canada.” Saying that no other ally is as important to the United States as its northern neighbor, Reagan added, “We are proud to stand watch with you and together we shall keep our people free, secure and at peace. Above all, we are friends, and friends we shall always be.” Reagan, in a luncheon address that came before a final session and the signing of several accords, lauded the partnership that he said had been forged in his talks with Mulroney. “That new partnership begins with our being more mindful of our need for close cooperation and constant communication, each of us carefully respecting the other’s interests and sovereignty,” Reagan said.

Original Story: “U.S., Canada create ‘new partnership,’” by Susanne M. Schafer, the Associated Press. 3/18/1985.

This week in 1995, state officials approved a financing plan today for the Mount Roberts tramway, setting the stage for construction of the project. A commitment for $8.64 million in loan financing was made this morning by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. That’s the final piece in the financial puzzle for the $14.75 million tourist attraction, said Win Gruening of Key Bank of Alaska. “They’re ready to go. This is a real project and one that people are going to see in Juneau very, very shortly,” Gruening said. Key Bank will finance the project’s construction loan, and then — after construction is complete —will share the long-term loan with AIDEA, Gruening said. AIDEA will become involved only after the tram is up and running, said the agency’s deputy director for credit John Delano. Tram developers expect to begin shuttling tourists up the downtown mountainside in April 1996. John Heiser, president of Mount Roberts Development Corp., has said he wants to start construction next month.

Original Story: “State OKs tram loan,” by Ed Schoenfeld. 3/16/1995.

This week in 2005, building a road from Juneau to Skagway may take longer than predicted. So far, Congress has proposed $15 million over the next five years for the 68.5-mile road, which the state estimates it can build for $281 million. That is about 5 percent of its total cost. State officials said they plan to pay for most of the project with federal earmarks and hope to begin construction in 2006 and finish in 2010. Unless Congress pitches in more, though, the proposed road may take longer and could dig more deeply into the state’s highway budget. It’s important for this project to get some recognition by the folks in Washington, D.C.,” said state Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch, R-Juneau, who supports the idea. The uncertainty over federal funding is more ammunition for the road’s critics within the northern Panhandle. They continue to question its cost and feasibility. Haines resident Rob Goldberg has reviewed the costs for other projects in the region. He pointed out that rebuilding Glacier Highway from Amalga Harbor to Eagle Beach is projected to cost $3.2 million per mile, for example. That compares to the state estimate of $3.85 million per mile from Juneau to Skagway.

Today the possibility of a road linking Juneau to the outside world has been revived by the state after serious discussion fell by the wayside for several years. State transporation officials are considering a road along the west mountains of northern Lynn Canal, compared to some earlier proposals for a road on the east side.

Original Story: “State presses on as highway funds remain in limbo,” by Elizabeth Bluemink. 3/20/2005.

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz.garrett@juneauempire.com or (907) 723-9356.