State of Alaska
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)

Notice of Completion and Availability
Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway Interchange
Project No. Z607320000/0002337

The Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway Interchange project consists of reconstructing the intersection of the Steese Expressway with the Johansen Expressway, including adjacent access. The project includes bridge work, roadside signage and lighting, drainage improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, and utilities. The project aims to address operational and safety concerns including pedestrian and bicycle safety, pedestrian delay, vehicle delay, and the proximity of Farmers Loop Road. Three build alternatives as well as the no build alternative were evaluated in the EA. The Diverging Diamond Interchange was selected as the preferred build alternative.

The project will construct a Diverging Diamond Interchange at the Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway intersection. It will also construct a temporary road and permanent separated path between Farmers Loop and Northside Boulevard (Farmers Loop Connection), partially utilizing the existing Farmers Loop Road Extension. The existing separated pathway along the Steese Expressway between the Johansen Expressway and Farmers Loop will be relocated to the new Farmers Loop Connection to enhance safety and connectivity of bicycle facilities in the project area. Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition and noise walls are required for all alternatives evaluated. Details are available at the web link below.

DOT&PF initiated public involvement and agency coordination for the project in July/August of 2017. Agency scoping was completed in September 2018. Project Advisory Committee meetings were held August 30, 2017 and January 24, 2018. A Purpose & Need Public Open House was held October 12, 2017. An Alternatives Analysis Open House was held on December 6, 2018. The Alternatives Analysis Comment Period ended January 3, 2019. Another open house was held online from mid-September through mid-November, 2020 to present the preferred alternative and draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The Draft EA was made available for public comment September 22 through October 31, 2020. Letters and comments received during the comment periods are documented in Appendix B and F of the Final EA.

The Final EA and FONSI are available at the DOT&PF Fairbanks office (address below), the Noel Wien Public Library, and at the project website: http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/steese-johansen

For more information please contact:

Lauren Little, P.E., Project Manager
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Northern Region
2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Telephone: (907) 451-5371
TTY 711 or 1-800-770-8973
E-mail: lauren.little@alaska.gov

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 a 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; and EO 13112, Invasive Species.

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