The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proposing repair and upgrades to existing segments of shared-use paths in multiple locations, in order to bring these segments into compliance with American Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards (Figure 1). The locations of the shared-use paths and their respective project corridors are as follows:

1. Steese Highway, from Airport Way to Johansen Expressway. The proposed shared-use path upgrades throughout the Steese Highway project corridor will only occur on its west side. Furthermore, the project corridor is not contiguous, the excluded area is from the south side (left bank) of the Chena River (Steese Highway) bridge, NBI #0231, through its intersection with College Road (Figure 2).
   
   
2. Chena Ridge Spur Road, this project corridor is not contiguous. The proposed shared-use path upgrades will include two separate areas. One portion starts at its intersection with Chena Pump Road and proceeds east until the shared-use path merges along the shoulder of the Parks Highway's exit lane towards Geist Road. The second portion is a small area that starts where this path is no longer a part of the exit lane's shoulder and proceeds to the intersection with Geist Road (Figure 3).  The omitted portion is scheduled to be repaved this summer under a different project (NFHWY00570, https://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/chena-resurfacing/).
   
   
3. Phillips Field Road, from its intersection with Peger Road and ending near Phillips Field Road's dead-end, where the shared-use path merges with the existing shared-use path along Johansen Expressway (Figure 4).

Actions proposed under NFHWY01102 include:

• Remove the existing asphalt pavement and where needed, widen the existing shared-use paths to widths of 8 to 10 feet. The existing widths of the shared-use paths range from 5 feet to 8 feet wide. In order to achieve the new pathway widths, embankment fill will need to be installed. After which, the shared-use paths will have new asphalt pavement installed.

• Replace or install new curb ramps, driveway approaches, curb and gutters, signage, and operable part clear spaces with ADA compliant features, as needed. New application or repainting pavement markings as needed.

• Where needed, existing manholes, utility covers, and storm drains will be adjusted to match the new shared-use path surfaces.

• Clear vegetation away from the shared-use paths. Most of the project pathway segments are in developed urban settings that are void of vegetation. However, some vegetative clearing and grubbing will be needed. All clearing activities will be completed within DOT &PF ROW and within previous disturbed areas.

• Material sources for this project will be contractor furnished.

The proposed work described above applies to all three project corridors (Steese Highway, Chena Ridge Spur Road, and Phillips Field Road).  However, there are specific actions for the Steese Highway shared-use path corridor that only apply to this corridor; they are:

• An entirely new segment of the Steese Highway shared-use path is proposed to be constructed in order to connect with exiting Fairbanks North Star Borough Bikeways transportation network (FNSB Bikeways).This new segment will extend north from 7^th Avenue, near Clay Street, and will terminate just south of the Chena River bridge, NBI #0231 where it connects with existing FNSB Bikeways (Figure 2).The distance of this new segment is approximately 550 feet.Landscaping is also proposed in this area.

• There is an existing access control fence that runs parallel throughout the shared-use path corridor.  Where needed, DOT&PF plans to remove this fencing and replace it with new fencing.  The new fencing will also be installed parallel to the shared-use path and entirely within existing ROW.

• There are two abandoned road approaches that formerly connected 3^rd Avenue and 7^th Avenue to what now is the Steese Expressway.  These two abandoned road approaches are blocked from their former highway connections by guardrails/fence/concrete barriers in the areas closest to 3^rd and 7^th avenues (Figure 2).  DOT&PF plans to remove the pavement of the abandoned road approaches and their barriers.  

• Landscaping will then be completed as part of reclamation efforts of the now removed road approaches and their barriers. Landscaping is also proposed in areas south of the Chena River bridge, where the project's shared-use path will connect with exiting Fairbanks North Star Borough Bikeways.

• Within the Steese Highway project corridor are some utility poles that will need to be relocated, and in at least one location, the shared-use path would be shifted so that the utility pole would not need relocation (Figure 2).

Please provide comments on this project or request additional information by May 4, 2026, to: 

Ivet Hall, P.E., Engineering Manager
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Phone: (907) 451-5386 or by e-mail at: ivet.hall@alaska.gov
Text Telephone (TDD): 771 or 1-800-770-8973

The project is being developed in accordance with the following Executive Orders (EO): EO 11988 (Floodplain Management); EO 12898 (Environmental Justice); EO 11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment) and EO 13112 (Invasive Species).

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and DOT&PF.

It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no one shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, regardless of the funding source, including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and State of Alaska funds. Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: https://dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml. To file a complaint:  dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/titlevi.shtml