Revision: To reduce the possibility of transmitting the COVID-19 virus and consistent with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, we are POSTPONING the Windy Corner EA & 4(f) Open Forum Hearings [also serving as the Municipality of Anchorage Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Community Meetings] previously scheduled for Monday, March 23rd at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage and Thursday, March 26th at the Gerrish Branch Library in Girdwood. The meetings will be rescheduled when it is deemed safe to do so. The public comment period will remain open. The project team will continue to respond to comments submitted through the mail or via the website.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. 327 and is announcing the availability of documents associated with the project proposing to construct safety improvements to the Seward Highway from MP 105 to MP 107. The EA, including the Programmatic Section 4(f) evaluation, will be available for a 30-day review and comment period that starts on March 6, 2020 and closes on April 6, 2020. The open forum hearings are for the purpose of considering the economic, social, and environmental effects of the project and the project’s consistency with the goals and objectives of community planning that has been carried out.
Environmental Assessment
The EA Preferred Alternative consists of improving the Seward Highway from MP 105 to MP 107. The purpose of the project is to implement safety upgrades to reduce high severity crashes and improve traffic operations to alleviate traffic congestion. DOT&PF has considered six build alternatives plus one no-build alternative. The proposed highway includes two 12-foot lanes in each direction separated by a median and paved shoulders. The Alaska Railroad Corporation tracks will be realigned to make space for the highway improvements. The modifications require right-of-way (ROW) in the form of a land exchange including the use of 26.30 acres of intertidal mudflats within Chugach State Park. DOT&PF will mitigate impacts to the Park by relinquishing 14.7 acres of land within the existing ROW. The Preferred Alternative proposes to extract 1.5 – 2.0 million cubic yards of aggregate, riprap, and armor stone from material locations within Chugach State Park near MP 109 and 104 (if needed). New recreational facilities and parking areas will be constructed near MP 106.5.
When a federally assisted transportation improvement project on existing or new alignment will use a Section 4(f) property a Section 4(f) evaluation is needed. For this project, a net benefit programmatic Section 4(f) evaluation was conducted and the preliminary view of DOT&PF and the official with jurisdiction (DNR Commissioner) over the Section 4(f) property is included in Appendix E of the EA. A final action on the land exchange is expected in Spring 2020 with construction to follow in 2021.
The public comment period begins on March 6, 2020 and ends at midnight Alaska Standard Time on April 6, 2020. All public comments received will become part of the public record and may be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. For technical questions, contact Tom Schmid, P.E., DOT&PF Project Manager at 907-269-0543. Project comments can be submitted:
Via Mail: Brian Elliott, Environmental Manager, DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental; PO Box 196900, Anchorage, AK 99519-6900.
Via Email: windycorner@dowl.com. Please include “Seward Highway MP 105-107 EA Comment” in the subject line.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this proposed project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2017 and executed by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and DOT&PF.
This action complies with: Executive Order (EO) 11593, Protection and Enhancement of Cultural Environment; EO 11988, Floodplain Management; EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands; EO 12898, Environmental Justice; EO 13007, Indian Sacred Sites; EO 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks; EO 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; and EO 13112, Invasive Species.
Join the project team, DOT&PF and DNR at one of the following meetings:
Anchorage
Date: March 23, 2020
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Stop by anytime)
Location: Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall, 4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, AK
Girdwood
Date: March 26, 2020
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Stop by anytime)
Location: Gerrish Branch Library, 250 Egloff Drive, Girdwood, AK
A court reporter will be available to record oral comments and statements.
The project documents can be reviewed at: www.windycorner.info
Hard copies of the project documents can be found at:
- Gerrish Branch Library, 250 Egloff Drive, Girdwood
- DOT&PF Central Region Office, 4111 Aviation Ave, Anchorage
- ZJ Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage
Public notice of document availability is posted at the following locations:
It is the policy of the DOT&PF that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska Funds. The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with an impairment can contact DOT&PF at our Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.