Notice of Proposed De Minimis Section 4(f) Finding:
Alaska Highway Gerstle River Bridge #0520 Replacement
State Project Number NFHWY00653

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 public comments on an intended Section 4(f) de minimis impact finding for proposed impacts to the Delta Junction State Bison Range (DJBR), specifically around the Gerstle River near MP 1392.5 on the Alaska Highway. These impacts are part of a proposed project to replace the Gerstle River Bridge (#0520) on the Alaska Highway at approximately MP 1392.5, including two project activities where work will extend beyond DOT&PF right-of-way (ROW) and into the DJBR boundary. The two activities are work on an existing riprap dike upstream of the bridge and material extraction from an existing in-river material source.

The existing riprap dike extends along the eastern bank of the Gerstle River for approximately 5,700 feet upstream of the bridge. The dike was originally constructed in the 1960s to protect the highway and surrounding areas from flooding. The project proposes to build-up and slightly extend the existing dike to meet current design flood model conditions. The riprap dike currently extends outside DOT&PF ROW onto DNR land. DOT&PF plans to acquire ROW to include the dike so that it can be officially owned and maintained by DOT&PF. Approximately 1,400 feet of the existing dike extends into the boundary of the DJBR. Proposed ROW acquisition within the DJBR boundary is approximately 4.1 acres.

The Gerstle River – South Pit (MS 62-3-037-2) is being included in the project as a potential material source to support the project. The majority of the boundary of this materials source overlaps with the DJBR boundary.

The DJBR is protected under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Act of 1966. The DOT&PF believes that after consultation with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) Bison Range Manager and consideration of impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation or enhancement measures, the proposed project will not adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes of the Delta Junction State Bison Range that qualify it for protection under Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act of 1966.

Construction of the proposed project is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2029. To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments by July 21, 2026, to:

Kerri Martin, Regional Environmental Manager
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-5316
Email: kerri.martin@alaska.gov

If you have any questions or require additional information about the project, please contact Jenny Wright, P.E., Project Manager at (907) (907) 371-8949 or jennifer.wright@alaska.gov.

All public comments received will be recorded, transcribed, become part of the public record, and may be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.

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 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