impr SEAN PARNELL, GOVERNOR STATE OF 4111 AVIATION AVENUE P.O. BOX 196900 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99519-6900

CENTRAL REGION DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PHONE: (907) 269-0542 PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION FAX: (907) 243-6927

September 7, 2011 Project: Seward Highway 75 to 90 Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Project Project No. BR-BH-NH-OA3- 1(35)/58105

Dear Agency Staff Member:

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is soliciting comments and information on a proposal to rehabilitate approximately 15.0 miles of the Seward Highway between Milepost (MP) 75 near Ingram Creek and MP 90 near Girdwood. The proposed project is located within the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and the Borough (KPB) in Alaska (See Figure 1).

Project Background and History Development of this project began in 2006 with public and agency scoping and the initiation of environmental and engineering studies. The project initially considered fully reconstructing the route with additional through lanes and a new alignment across . The scope of work that is currently being considered has been reduced to minimize cost and environmental impacts while still achieving improved operational performance and safety benefits.

An Agency Scoping letter was originally sent for this project on July 18, 2007. Seven comments total were received from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Mining, Land, and Water; DNR – Division of Coastal and Ocean Management; MOA; U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DNR – Office of Habitat Management and Permitting, and U.S. Forest Service. On September 27, 2007, an agency meeting was held to clarify issues and concerns raised in agency responses to the July 18, 2007 scoping letter.

To date, DOT&PF has conducted field studies of wetlands, fish and wildlife, a Phase I Contaminated Site Assessment, and is currently in the process of completing a Cultural Resources Survey and a Location Hydraulic Study.

Purpose and Need The purpose of the proposed project is to address safety problems, roadway deficiencies, and congestion south of Anchorage along the Seward Highway between MP’s 75 and 90. The needs along with the corresponding objectives for this project are summarized below: • Safety o Increase safety and decrease the likelihood of fatal and major injury accidents within the project corridor.

“Providing for the safe movement of people and goods and the delivery of State services.” Page 2

• Roadway Deficiencies o Extend the service life of the bridges and culverts throughout the project corridor. o Address existing roadway deficiencies to provide for improved operation of the Seward Highway between MP’s 75 and 90.

• Congestion o Reduce unacceptable congestion and improve mobility in the design year for users traveling on the Seward Highway between MP’s 75 and 90.

Improvements Currently Under Consideration Several elements that are being considered as part of this project include the following: • Construct two northbound and two southbound passing lanes between MP’s 75 and 90; • Resurface the existing roadway; • Proposed bridge work: o Rehabilitate one bridge o Replace eight bridges o Replace the existing in-stream culverts at Kern Creek with a bridge; • Remove 26 and replace 12 road drainage cross-culverts (14 existing culverts are not functioning or will not be needed once bridge improvements are complete and should be removed to avoid collapse); • Flatten the curve at MP 88; • Flatten the curve at Road (this would require a new bridge in addition to those being replaced); • Proposed hooligan fishery amenities: o Add two new parking lots on the inlet side of the existing highway near the hooligan fishery recreational area; o Add a 10-foot wide paved pathway connecting the two new parking lots.

Existing Site Conditions The Seward Highway between MP’s 75 and 90 is currently a rural two-lane road with 12-foot lanes and 8-foot paved shoulders and guardrail where required. There are several horizontal and vertical curves throughout the proposed project corridor. No passing lanes exist within the proposed project area and 65 percent of the length is striped for passing. There are turn lanes at the Alyeska and Portage Glacier Road intersections. Parking areas, constructed adjacent to the highway, provide access to creeks and rivers within the proposed project corridor. The Seward Highway runs roughly parallel to the Corporation tracks between MP’s 80 and 90.

Land directly adjacent to the highway is generally undeveloped and consists of some commercial areas located near MP’s 79 and 90. The surrounding terrain is mountainous and consists of birch/spruce forests, shrubs, and sporadic low-lying vegetation. The Seward Highway parallels the coastline of Turnagain Arm and crosses several waterbodies throughout.

Nine bridges and several road drainage culverts exist within the proposed project area. Most of the bridges and culverts were constructed between 1966 and 1968. The bridges were constructed with steel girders on concrete piers with concrete decks. The culverts consist of a corrugated steel pipe. The bridges and culverts within the project area are deteriorating. Some of the bridges have Page 3

undergone Phase I seismic retrofits, and all have had recent minimal deck repairs and pavement overlays.

Request for Scoping Comments An agency scoping meeting will be planned for September 29, 2011, from 1:00pm-3:00pm, at 4111 Aviation Avenue in the Main Conference Room, Anchorage. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the draft purpose and need statement and any issues of concern you have regarding environmental impacts and/or compliance. The environmental impacts are not clearly established at this time and an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared.

We have conducted preliminary research using the most current available data to identify environmental resources within the proposed project vicinity. This information is contained in Appendix A and is attached as a link below. Also below are links for each federal, State, and local agency from which the DOT&PF is requesting comments and information. These links contain a list of questions that pertain to your agency. To ensure that all factors are considered in the development of the proposed project, please provide your written comments, recommendations, and the additional requested information to our office no later than October 16, 2011.

If you have any questions on the environmental effects, please contact Holly Sanders, Environmental Team Leader, at (907) 269-0528, or via email at [email protected]. Questions concerning the engineering aspects of the proposed project can be directed to Kelly Petersen, P.E., Project Manager, at (907) 269-0546, or via email at [email protected].

ADEC ADF&G ADNR-DPOR ADNR-RAD ADNR-SHPO

Municipality of Anchorage KPB Kenai River Center Tribal Entities ARRC

USACE USEPA USFWS NPS USCG BLM USFS NMFS

Sincerely,

Brian Elliott Regional Environmental Manager

Enclosures: Figure 1: Location and Vicinity Map Appendix A

cc: Mike Vanderhoof, FHWA, Statewide Programs Team Leader Kelly Petersen, P.E., DOT&PF, Project Manager, PD&E Holly Sanders, DOT&PF, Environmental Team Leader, PD&E