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 soliciting comments and information on a proposal to improve the Campbell Creek Trail Crossing at Lake Otis Parkway in Anchorage, Alaska. The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a safer and more efficient travel route for Campbell Creek trail users to cross Lake Otis Parkway close to the existing Campbell Creek trail corridor. Currently there is no dedicated pedestrian crossing that provides a direct route for Campbell Creek Trail users to cross Lake Otis Parkway. To cross Lake Otis Parkway, trail users must navigate a 0.35 to 0.45-mile detour north or south. As a result of the lengthy detour options, some trail users chose to unsafely cross Lake Otis Parkway directly at East 47th Street where there is no dedicated pedestrian crossing. For those trail users who chose to follow one of the detours, they experience inefficient travel caused by detour delays and misdirection.
Proposed project involves improving up to 0.75 miles of the Campbell Creek Trail, which may include:
- Construction of a new non-motorized trail crossing of Lake Otis Parkway by way of a bridge(s), tunnel, and/or a pedestrian crosswalk.
- Modification to existing pedestrian bridges
- Horizontal and vertical pathway realignments to match the new crossing
- Installing new roadside hardware
- Drainage improvements
- Intersection improvements
- Americans with Disabilities Act improvements
- Utility relocations
- Vegetation clearing and grubbing
The proposed project would comply with all applicable authorities including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Order-11990 (Wetland Protection); Executive Order-11988 (Floodplain Protection); Executive Order-12898 (Environmental Justice); Executive Order 11593 (Historic Preservation); Executive Order 13084 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments); the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the U.S. 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; and Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act.
Potential project alternatives would encroach into the base (100-year) floodplain associated with the Campbell Creek and are likely to encroach into the designated floodway. Project actions that may affect the base floodplain or designated floodway would include new bridge(s), modified bridge(s), tunnel construction, realigned trail construction, installing new roadside hardware drainage improvements, utility relocation, and vegetation alteration. Proposed floodplain and floodway encroachments would result in minimal to no obstructions to floodwaters and no anticipated change to the floodway or base floodplain elevation. Therefore, the project would not result in significant encroachments as defined in 23CFR 650.105(q) and USDOT Order 5650.2(4)(p)
Construction for the proposed project is anticipated to begin in summer 2028. To ensure that all possible factors are considered, written comments can be submitted via mail or email to the following by September 1, 2024
Brian Elliott, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Central Region Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
Email: brian.elliott@alaska.gov
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Connor Eshleman, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0595 or at connor.eshleman@alaska.gov.
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 April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.
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.
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.