KETCHIKAN, Alaska (CNN) -- The "Bridge to Nowhere" may have been shelved. But the "Road to Nowhere" is alive and well. Gov. Sarah Palin let the "Road to Nowhere" go ahead because the contract had been signed. The proposed $400 million span that would have connected the coastal city of Ketchikan to its airport on Gravina Island died after it became a symbol of congressional excess. But the three-mile access road that was built on the island is ready for residents to take a drive to nowhere. It was paid for by some of the $223 million in federal funding that sparked ridicule among opponents of congressional "pork-barrel" spending.
@highlight
Road on Alaskan island was built with some of $223 million in taxpayer money
@highlight
Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein calls the road a waste of money
@highlight
Road was supposed to be access connector to the failed 'Bridge to Nowhere'
@highlight
'Bridge to Nowhere' has become symbol of excessive spending
Palin could have stopped construction of this road," said Weinstein, who wore his "Nowhere, @placeholder" T-shirt to an interview with CNN.