The first Regional Planning Organization was established in Gulkana, Alaska over last weekend when Governor Mike Dunleavy signed a cooperative agreement between the Copper Valley Development Association, and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. The RPO pilot program will establish a structure for local and regional input and information exchange on transportation planning and prioritization for the Copper Valley Census Area.
The Regional Planning Organization is formed to give communities a voice in transportation planning and spending. The benefit to starting an RPO is to allow flexibility while rural regions develop capacity to participate in a wide range of transportation planning efforts.
Governor Dunleavy:
“Supporting the communities of Copper Valley in their efforts to build and expand their economy through infrastructure development is rewarding. I look forward to hearing more about what this new partnership can accomplish.”
The Copper River Census Area includes Copper Center, Tazlina, and Gulkana. The Copper River Region is an Unorganized Borough with no municipalities or other form of governmental organization. The region includes the Gulkana Airport, a regional hub, the Glenn and Richardson Highways, which offer surface transportation links to Anchorage, Valdez and Fairbanks.
DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson:
“It is exciting to partner with communities for the future of transportation. Direct community involvement in transportation planning builds a more resilient transportation network.”
Additionally, the Copper River Census Area has two Alaska Highway System routes, the McCarthy and Nabesna Roads, which connect to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which is the largest national park in the United States.