(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued approval for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) four-year spending plan. FHWA identified six out of the 234 projects and programs submitted, which will be addressed in subsequent amendments.
It should be noted, however, that upwards of approximately 65 different projects–including the Kenai Spur Highway Rehabilitation and the Cooper Landing Bypass (Sterling Hwy MP 45-60)–are only “conditionally approved” provided the State meets certain criteria provided by the FHWA and FTA.
According to the partial approval document posted online, prior to approval of the aforementioned 65 projects, “project descriptions must sufficiently describe the project or phase, estimated total costs must be consistently and accurately defined, federal funds programmed by year must be supported by a specific funding source(s), and agencies responsible for implementation of projects must be clearly identified,” and “questions posted for each comment must be addressed prior to authorization.”
One question/condition required for the approval of both the Kenai Spur Highway Rehabilitation and the Cooper Landing Bypass is “total project cost.”
The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, represents over $5 billion of transportation investment in the state, including upgrades to Alaska’s highways, bridges, ferries, transit systems, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, and safety improvements.
The March 27 correspondence can be found here.
“We appreciate the federal agency’s considerable engagement on the March 1 submittal and the DOT&PF staff for putting together this new STIP in record time,” said DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. “Alaska’s project development will continue seamlessly, and our upcoming construction season will be robust.”
DOT&PF will consult with FHWA on the six remaining projects and programs and the federal findings for future STIP amendments and project approvals.