The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is providing notice of a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a proposal to reconstruct approximately 11 miles of the Sterling Highway between Sterling and Soldotna, Alaska. The reconstruction would widen the highway from two to four lanes from approximately MP 82.5 to 94. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve safety and reduce congestion for people and freight along this segment of the highway. Right-of-way is tentatively scheduled for 2025 and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027, depending on available funding. The final documents include a completed Section 4(f) de minimis impact finding for project impacts to the Scout Lake State Recreation Site (SRS).
The proposed work would:
Expand the existing road to a four-lane divided facility
Five-lane sections would be constructed to tie into existing lane configurations at each end of the project
Install median breaks with dedicated left-turn lanes to accommodate reasonable access to adjacent lands
Dedicated right-turn lanes would be installed at some side road intersections
Some access would change to right-in/right-out with U-turn lanes available at the median breaks
Adjust access management
Realign a portion of Scout Lake Road
Upgrade or construct new frontage and connection roads
Consolidate access points and realign approaches to frontage or connection roads
Minimize driveways directly accessing the Sterling Highway
Reconfigure roadway geometry to meet current design standards
Install or replace weigh-in-motion stations and automated traffic recorders
Relocate utilities
Clear and grub vegetation
Install new or replace striping, signing, lighting, and guardrail
Construct pedestrian facilities
Storm water drainage facility improvements
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.
This project is being developed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Orders: 11990 (Wetlands Protection), 11988 (Floodplain Protection), 12898 (Environmental Justice), the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and U.S. DOT Act Section 4(f).
The Final EA and FONSI can be viewed online at http://www.sterlinghighway82to94.com/
Hard copies of the Final EA and FONSI are available for public review at the Soldotna Public Library and the DOT&PF Central Region Anchorage office.
Stakeholders are welcome to submit comments or contact the project team at any time for additional information via email at info@sterlinghighway82to94.com, or at the address below.
Brian Elliott, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
brian.elliott@alaska.gov
If you have any questions or require additional information, stakeholders can also contact Kelly Summers, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0546 or kelly.summers@alaska.gov.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public view your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (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 Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.