NOTICE OF INTENT TO BEGIN ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Project Title: AMATS: Spenard Road Rehabilitation – Northwood Drive to Minnesota Drive
Project No.: CFHWY01292/0001815

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 rehabilitate Spenard Road between Northwood Drive and Minnesota Drive to continue improvements within the Spenard corridor including ADA improvements, roadside hardware, drainage improvements, and utilities as necessary. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve driver and pedestrian safety, improve traffic flow, and update and replace outdated and deteriorating transportation and utility infrastructure including non-motorized improvements.

The proposed work would include:

• Milling and paving
• Pavement markings and delineation
• Upgrade curb ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
• Replace, repair or install roadside hardware (e.g. signage, lighting)
• Drainage improvements (e.g. culverts, storm drain work, ditch grading)
• Intersection improvements
• Non-motorized facility improvements (including ADA improvements)
• Utility relocations and other utility work
• Vegetative clearing and grubbing

In addition, the project may involve:

• Landscaping
• Inclusion of a center-two-way-left-turn lane
• Improve the road/pathway subgrade
• Lane drops
• Access management (driveway consolidation)
• Sidewalks, pathways, and bike lanes
• Full and partial acquisitions to accommodate improvements
• Public parking
• Transit facilities
• Railroad upgrades
• Signal system upgrades

This proposed project will comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Orders: 11990 (Wetlands Protection), 11988 (Floodplain Protection), the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and U.S. DOT Act Section 4(f).

Construction for the proposed project is anticipated to begin in 2030. To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide written comments to the following address by February 21, 2026.

 
Heidi Zimmer, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
heidi.zimmer@alaska.gov

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Connor Eshleman, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0595 or 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 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.