Notice of Intent
Richardson Highway MP 148-173 Reconstruction
Project No.: Z631860000/0713(010)
September 18, 2018

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) proposes to reconstruct the Richardson Highway between mileposts 159-173. The 2-lane paved roadway will be reconstructed with 12-foot lanes and 6-foot wide shoulders. The road alignment will generally follow the existing except at Meiers Lake where the road will be re-aligned to the east. Existing sharp horizontal and vertical curves and steep grades will be reduced to increase sight distance. Drainage throughout the corridor will be improved by grading ditches to drain, replacing culverts and constructing a new bridge at Haggard Creek (MP 160.8). Turnouts will be improved and/or new ones constructed and all roadway signs will be replaced.

The Richardson Highway MP 148-173 project has been broken into three segments (MP 148-159, 159-167, and 167-173). The first segment (MP 148-159) has already been designed and construction was completed in 2013.

The project is needed because the existing highway throughout this section was last upgraded in 1953 and reflects the design standards of the time. The current width of the road’s traveled way is 22-feet, has numerous sharp horizontal and vertical curves and has steep grades with limited sight distance. Other areas of the road are experiencing settling foundations and drainage problems exist in several areas due to culverts that are too small to allow for proper spring runoff. The purpose of this project is to improve safety by bringing this section of the Richardson Highway up to current design standards.

DOT&PF requests information and comments on resources in the project area that may be affected including historic properties, archaeological sites, wetlands, and floodplains. The following Executive Orders (EO) apply.

EO 11990, Notice of Wetland Involvement
EO 12898, Environmental Justice,
EO 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment
EO 11988, Floodplain Management
EO 13112, as amended by EO 13751, Invasive Species

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Alaska DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2017 and executed by the FHWA and DOT&PF.

For further information regarding the project, or if you would like to submit comments, you can contact Russ Johnson, P.E., Engineering Manager at (907) 451-5059 or send an e-mail to russell.johnson@alaska.gov. You may also fax your comments to (907) 451-5126. To correspond by text telephone (TDD), call (907) 451-2363. Comments may be submitted until October 19, 2018.

DOT&PF operates all programs without regard to race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin. Full Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml.