NOTICE OF INTENT TO BEGIN ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Richardson Highway MP 266-341 Passing Lane
Project No. Z60715000/0A23(021)

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is requesting comments on the Richardson Hwy MP 266-341 Passing Lanes project.

The project’s purpose is to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety along the Richardson Highway between MP 266 and MP 341. The project proposes the following work:

• Construct 16 passing lanes within eight general locations along the Richardson Highway, ranging in length from 2.0 miles to 0.9 mile and spaced approximately six to eight miles apart.

• Construct riprap revetments along the bank of an unnamed slough of the Tanana River to protect it against erosion at two locations (MP 283.6 and MP 282.5).

• Construct a barrier at the base of unstable hillsides, at select passing lane locations and entirely within existing DOT&PF ROW, in order to prevent rocks that are rolling down the hillside from entering onto the highway's driving surface.

• The following, as needed within the proposed improvement areas: Extend or replace existing culverts and other drainage facilities; dig out and replace deficient embankment; clear vegetation; relocate utilities; and improve or replace driveways and approaches, signs and striping, and guardrail.

The proposed project will encroach into mapped and unmapped base (100-year) floodplains associated with the Tanana River, and several unmapped floodplains associated with small unnamed streams. A 0.4-mile section of the MP 328.8-329.8 passing lane segment is located adjacent to the Tanana River regulatory floodway. No changes to base flood elevations or significant encroachments are anticipated.

This proposed project will comply with:
Executive Order 11990 (Wetlands Protection)
Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management)
Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
U.S. DOT Act Section 4(f)
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
Endangered Species Act
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act
Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this 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 FHWA and DOT&PF.

If you have any questions, require additional information, or would like to submit a comment, please contact Carl Heim, P.E. at the address below by December 24, 2021:

Carl Heim, P.E., Engineering Manager
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Phone: (907) 451-5359 |  | E-mail: carl.heim@alaska.gov

 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 a hearing impairment can contact DOT&PF at our TTY at 711 or 1-800-770-8973.