Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
01/30/2024 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Construction Status and 2024 Preview | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 30, 2024
1:02 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Genevieve Mina
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jesse Sumner
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): CONSTRUCTION STATUS AND 2024 PREVIEW
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
KATHERINE KEITH, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation,
titled "Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
DOT&PF Construction Status and 2024 Preview."
SEAN HOLLAND, Regional Director
Central Region
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation,
titled "Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
DOT&PF Construction Status and 2024 Preview."
CHRISTOPHER GOINS, Regional Director
Southcoast Region
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation,
titled "Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
DOT&PF Construction Status and 2024 Preview."
JOE KEMP, Regional Director
Northern Region
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation,
titled "Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
DOT&PF Construction Status and 2024 Preview."
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:02:16 PM
CHAIR KEVIN MCCABE called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Representatives Vance,
McKay, Stutes, Mina, and McCabe were present at the call to
order.
^PRESENTATION(S): CONSTRUCTION STATUS AND 2024 PREVIEW
PRESENTATION(S): CONSTRUCTION STATUS AND 2024 PREVIEW
1:03:09 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced the only order of business would be the
Construction Status and 2024 Preview presentation.
1:04:04 PM
KATHERINE KEITH, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the
Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
(DOT&PF), shared some highlights from the 2023 construction
season. She noted that the Regional Directors of the
department) have shown great leadership with crises around the
state including avalanches and other extreme weather events.
She began the PowerPoint presentation {hard copy included in the
committee packet] on slide 2, which showed that $852 million has
been awarded in 116 contracts to 51 contractors and 181
subcontractors. She said $41.2 million was paid to employees.
Federal programs in 2023 made up $1.2 billion worth of work and
projects. She described on slide 3 that the Data Modernization
and Information Office has rolled out a new system which will
aid in data driven decision making in the future and help to
track project progress.
1:07:52 PM
SEAN HOLLAND, Regional Director, Central Region, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities, noted that the contractor
payments for construction year 2023 (CY 23) are the largest the
Central Region has ever had. There were 6 projects completed in
the Central Region in CY 23 and 36 projects continuing in CY 24.
The Southcoast Region completed 13 projects in CY 23 and has
four projects continuing and 29 new projects starting up in CY
24. The Northern Region completed 23 projects in CY 23 and has
17 continuing projects and 23 new projects slated for CY 24.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked about a regional map that indicates
the Central, Southcoast, and Northern Regions.
MR. HOLLAND noted that Kodiak is in the Southcoast Region and
continued on slide 5, titled "Central Region Accomplishments
2023," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Muldoon Road Pavement Preservation: Debarr Road to
East 36th Avenue • Chugach Foothills Connector, Phase
II
• Minnesota Drive Pavement Preservation: Tudor to 15th
Avenue*
• Glenn/Parks Interchange Permanent Repairs: November
2018 Earthquake
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
TaxilanesE1, E3, and E/G Intersection Reconstruction
• Parks Highway Milepost 48.8 to 52.3 Reconstruction:
Pittman Road to Big Lake Road
MR. HOLLAND noted that these projects total $88 million in
contractor payments.
1:10:59 PM
MR. HOLLAND moved to slide 6, titled "Parks and Glenn Highways,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Parks Highway
• Milepost 99-163 Drainage and Culvert Improvements
? Phase 1 Culvert Improvements
? Milepost 128.5 Railroad Creek Bridge: Phase II
• Bridge Replacements: Montana Creek, Sheep Creek, and
Goose Creek*
Glenn Highway
• Parks Highway to South Inner Springer Loop
• Knik River Bridge Deck Preservation
• Milepost 66.5-95 Pavement Preservation and Rock
Stabilization
MR. HOLLAND said the Parks Highway will be built in four phases.
Glenn Highway is a high priority due to rockfall issues.
1:12:39 PM
MR. HOLLAND, in response to Representative McCabe, mentioned
there are some delays with some projects.
1:13:43 PM
MR. HOLLAND mentioned the Matanuska-Susitna District Office and
expressed his hope of adding two more engineers soon. He said
that since projects are getting expensive, there is a five-to-
six-year backlog. Slide 7 read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Road and Bridge Reconstruction
Knik Goose Bay Road Reconstruction*
Seward Meridian Parkway Road Improvements: Palmer-
Wasilla Highway to Seldon Rd
Pavement Preservation
Hollywood Road Pavement Preservation: Vine Road to Big
Lake Road
Bogard Road Pavement Preservation: Trunk Rd to Wasilla
Fishhook Road
Wasilla Fishhook Road Pavement Preservation: East
Seldon Road to Tex-Al Drive
Safety
Church Road and Spruce Ave Intersection Flashing
Beacon
Palmer-Fishhook Road and Trunk Road Roundabout
1:17:26 PM
MR. HOLLAND, in response to Representative McCabe, made a note
about the Hollywood Road pavement project.
1:18:22 PM
MR. HOLLAND moved to slide 8, titled "Mat-Su Projects of
Interest," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Glenn Highway: Parks Highway to South Inner Springer
Loop
•Project 15% Complete / Award Amount $40,336,975
•Construct, widen, and add frontage roads to the Glenn
Highway
Glenn Highway: Knik River Bridges
•Resurface, upgrade bridge rails, replace expansion
joints on both Knik River Bridges and North Bound
Peters Creek bridge
•Advertise in February 2024
Seward Meridian Parkway
•Bidding in February
•Upgrade to a four-lane highway
•Construct a multi-use, separated pathway from the
Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Bogard Road
•Extend separated path one mile from Bogard Road to
Seldon Road
•Construct new roundabout at the Bogard Road
intersection and a new signal at Seldon Road
•Replace existing culvert at the Cottonwood Creek
crossing with a bridge
MR. Holland stated that contractor payments for these projects
are between $50-60 million.
1:20:33 PM
MR. HOLLAND, in response to Representative McCabe's inquiry
about turn lanes and potential disenfranchisement of businesses,
admitted he wasn't sure of the details and would investigate the
potential problem. He described the projects on slide 9 titled
"Anchorage Area," which read as follows: [original punctuation
provided]:
Road and Bridge Reconstruction
Campbell Tract Facility Alternate Entrance Alignment
O'Malley Road Reconstruction*
Glacier Creek Bridge Erosion Repair (Girdwood)
Eagle River Loop Road Reconstruction: Eagle River Road
to Old Glenn Highway
Pavement Preservation Safety
Elmore Road Pavement Preservation: Abbott Road to
Providence
North Eagle River Access Pavement Preservation: Powder
Ridge Drive to Old Glenn Hwy
VFW Road Pavement Replacement: Eagle River Loop to
Eagle River Road
Hiland Road Milepost 0-3.2 Pavement Preservation*
Minnesota Drive Pavement Preservation: Tudor to 15th
Avenue*
A Street Pavement Preservation: Northern Lights
Boulevard to 40th Avenue*
Safety
Ocean Dock Road Railroad Crossing Device Upgrade
4th Avenue Signal and Lighting Upgrade
Anchorage Signalized Intersection Cameras
Old Seward Highway Channelization: Industry Way and
120th Ave
A Street Midtown Couplet Overhead Signal Indication
Upgrades*
MR. HOLLAND explained that safety problems are listed in order
of severity and then a cost-benefit analysis is performed.
1:24:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked if there has been discussion between
the Municipality of Anchorage traffic department and DOT&PF.
MR. HOLLAND explained that the department has a transfer of
responsibility agreement with the City of Anchorage that states
that maintenance and operation of all the traffic signals within
city limits are the responsibility of the City of Anchorage.
This agreement helps to create consistency and eases the
maintenance burden for the department.
MR. HOLLAND moved to slide 10, titled "Anchorage Area Projects
of Interest," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Seward Highway
•Safer Seward Highway
Anchorage Interstate Connections
•Seward to Glenn Connection Planning Environmental
Linkages Study
•Ingra Gambell Improvements (Highway Safety
Improvements Program)
MR. HOLLAND noted the Planning Environmental Linkages (PEL)
study is a tool that is used to inject more engineering into the
planning process and provides improved evaluation alternatives
which will allow for incremental improvements. Project delivery
dates were not yet available. Ingra Gambell improvements have
been pushed to 2025. The project will include moving utilities
underground which will create more sidewalk access and improve
aesthetics. He mentioned that a bike lane pilot project showed
success and has funding.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA commented on the collaboration between the
federal government and DOT&PF regarding bike lanes. She asked
about the prioritization of different Anchorage projects based
on safety and rate of car crashes. She asked why Safer Seward
Highway has received priority over Ingra Gambell improvements.
MR. HOLLAND said the PEL process identifies scopes of individual
projects. Once projects are identified, design funding goes
out. The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) only
goes out for four years; if there are more complex projects, it
will take more than four years to develop.
1:30:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked for more clarity about how DOT&PF
prioritizes projects for constituents who provide input.
MS. KEITH made note of the frustration of some committee members
regarding the new STIP program. He said DOT&PF is looking for
solutions by institutionalizing policy such as the Complete
Streets Policy. A new STIP has been added to the current STIP
and involves a $1 million Complete Streets program. After the
PEL study is completed and identifies projects, a STIP amendment
process will occur to add new projects. She said the
commissioner is committed to solving safety problems.
1:33:17 PM
CHAIR MCCABE said it would help legislators to be able to
reference traffic count data for constituents.
1:34:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked if DOT&PF is taking in feedback
regarding increasing lane miles and pursuing more construction
projects while considering what is feasibly possible to maintain
with current funding.
MS. KEITH said that finding a balance with expansion, safety,
and economic vitality projects is a challenge. The department
is federally required to demonstrate that it can maintain the
road system based on STIP funding. The department is confident
that it can maintain the system while meeting other critical
needs across the state. She noted the growing backlog of
deferred maintenance. Better asset management through the Data
Modernization and Innovation Office will tie the performance of
the system to projects on the dashboard portal and show traffic
counts and safety data. This will help to make investment
decisions clearer to the public.
1:37:41 PM
MR. HOLLAND provided details about the projects listed on slide
11, titled "Kenai Peninsula Projects," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Road Reconstruction
Kenai Spur Highway Rehabilitation: Sports Lake Road to
Swires Rd.
Seward Hwy Milepost 17-22.5 Rehabilitation
Seward Hwy Milepost 75-90 Reconstruction
Active Transportation
Kenai River Flats Pedestrian Improvements
Pavement Preservation
Funny River Road Pavement Preservation*
Cohoe Loop Road Milepost 0-9.7 Pavement Preservation*
Seward Highway Milepost 0-8 Pavement Preservation*
Culvert or Bridge Improvements
Quartz Creek Bridge Replacement Project
Hope Highway Milepost 7.9 and 12.9 Pipe Replacements
Seward Highway Milepost 61.5 Culvert Improvement
Other Projects of Interest
Sterling Highway 82.5-94 Progressive Design Build;
Seward and Sterling Wye Design; Kenai DOT&PF Office
*Continuing from 2023
MR. HOLLAND discussed a goal to create a Kenai DOT&PF office
like the new office in the Matanuska-Susitna. He described an
innovative engineering process to launch a new bridge. He
described challenges with funding and an approximately 40
percent inflation for government contracts. Because Alaska is
at the end of the supply chain, costs have doubled for areas off
the road system. He described reallocation funding grants.
1:45:45 PM
MR. HOLLAND showed slide 13, titled "Western Alaska Highway
Projects," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Bethel Tundra Ridge Road Rehabilitation*
•Rehabilitate Tundra Ridge Road from the BIA Road to
Ptarmigan Street. Project work includes grading,
drainage improvements, and resurfacing
•Project was awarded in the amount of $11.3M
•Completion date 9/30/24
*Continuing from 2023
1:46:21 PM
CHAIR MCCABE asked if there are funding issues due to more
expensive materials, or because of access to materials via the
"Buy America Build America" program.
MR. HOLLAND answered that finding enough U.S. materials is
difficult.
1:46:56 PM
MR. HOLLAND described airport projects in the Central Region on
slide 14, titled "2024 Alaska International Airport System,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Fairbanks International
•General Aviation Apron and Taxiway Reconstruction
•PFAS Remediation Pilot Project
Ted Stevens Anchorage International
•Runway 7L25R Lighting Duct Drainage Improvements
•Taxiways R and K Tug Roads, R North, and Taxilane E
Improvements
•West Perimeter and Postmark Drive Road Repairs
•Terminal Northside Aprons & Taxilane Reconstruction
•Old Air Force Maintenance and Access Gates, Headbolt
Outlets, Ditch Grading
•Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement Parking
•Remain Overnight (RON) 2 Rehabilitation
1:47:20 PM
MR. HOLLAND explained that most projects at Central Region
Airports are funded by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA). Those projects are listed on slide 15, titled "2024
Airport Improvements Projects Central Region," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Airport Improvements
•Bethel*
•Chefornak*
Chevak
•Homer*
•Kongiganak*
•Kwethluk
•Mekoryuk*
•Nightmute
•Sleetmute*
Surface Repairs
•Napakiak
Willow
Equipment
•Birchwood
•Chefornak
•Chuthbaluk
•Eek
•Kwethluk
•Manokotak
•Nelson Lagoon
•New Stuyahok
•Nikolai
•Seward
•Sleetmute
•Togiak
•Toksook Bay
Lighting Improvements
•Chenega Bay
1:47:55 PM
MR. HOLLAND moved to slide 16, titled "Homer Airport
Improvements," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
•Construction began June 2023
•Work anticipated to complete 2024
•Expand runway safety areas
•Remove portions of Taxiway D
•Upgrade runway to current FAA standards
•Replace airfield lighting and remove obstructions
•Drainage improvements and new west service road
•Regional hub airport location, critical
infrastructure
1:48:52 PM
CHRISTOPHER GOINS, Regional Director, Southcoast Region,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, informed
Representative Stutes that the maps she requested are being
prepped and will be sent along to the committee. He highlighted
some projects on slide 17, titled "Southcoast Region
Accomplishments 2023," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Highlights
•Herring Cove Bridge Replacement (Ketchikan)
•Gravina/Revilla New Ferry Berths, Upland Improvement,
Layup Facility, and Freight Facility (Ketchikan)
•Glacier Highway Safety Improvements Project (Lemon
Creek Area - Juneau)
•Douglas Highway Resurface and Sidewalk Repairs Stage
II (Juneau)
•Mendenhall Loop Road Egan to Stephen Richards
Resurface (Juneau)
•South Franklin Resurface, Tram Parking Lot to Mt.
Roberts (Juneau)
MR. GOINS highlighted the Herring Cove Bridge in Ketchikan which
has become a prime wildlife viewing area. The new bridge now
has sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks.
1:53:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked about the benefits of roundabouts and
noted the prevalence of them around Juneau.
1:54:44 PM
MR. GOINS responded that roundabouts reduce the number of
injuries. Traffic is a key component of implementing
roundabouts. Splitter islands are engineered to slow down
traffic. Accident severity is reduced because, due to the
design of roundabouts, there is less of a chance to "t-bone"
another vehicle. Safety optics are important when implementing
roundabouts in new areas. Roundabouts in the Mendenhall Valley
significantly changed the flow of traffic, although snow removal
is made more difficult.
1:58:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked if there are challenges with larger
vehicles moving through roundabouts like boats with trailers,
and trucks.
MR. GOINS responded that every roundabout is different, it is
possible to accommodate large rigs with specific engineering.
2:00:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA provided positive feedback about Ketchikan's
new Herring Cove Bridge.
2:00:35 PM
MR. GOINS highlighted the Haines Highway project on slide 18,
titled "Haines Highway," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Milepost 3.5-12.2 Reconstruction (Stage I)
•Milepost 12.2-20 Reconstruction (Stage II)
•Milepost 20.0-25.3 Reconstruction (Stage III)
•Anadromous Culverts Emergency Repair**
Milepost 20-25.3 Reconstruction - 2024
Final Stage III Estimated at $45-$55M
(All Phases of Haines Highway Reconstruction Cost:
~$120M)
The project replaces the Chilkat River Bridge, widens
shoulders, realigns most curves, improves sight
distance to provide more passing zones, increases
recreational access, and better protects the road from
debris and flood flows.
MR. GOINS said that Stage II finished last season. He described
the mile 19 debris fans, which caused problems with large
boulders. The project moved the road up to the fan, matched the
slope, and installed four large culverts. Debris now flows
below the road instead of across it. There will be a similarly
engineered road in Stage III. He emphasized the
geomorphological challenges that make the projects difficult to
plan and fund.
2:03:16 PM
MR. GOINS discussed projects around Ketchikan on slide 19,
titled "Ketchikan Area Projects," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Culvert or Bridge Improvements
Sayles and Gorge Street Viaduct Improvements
Water Street Bridge Strengthening
Road Reconstruction
South Tongass Avenue Improvements
Safety Improvements
Stedman and Deermont Street Intersection Safety
Improvements
Wolfe Point Slope Stability Improvements **
Pavement Preservation
North Tongass Highway Resurfacing: Airport Ferry
Terminal to Ward Creek Bridge Stage I **
**May be 2025
2:04:48 PM
MR. GOINS moved to slide 20, titled "Juneau Area Projects,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Active Transportation and Safety
Brotherhood Bridge Trail Improvements (Kaxdigoowu Heen
Dei)
Glacier Highway Chip Seal Industrial to Roundabout
Egan Yandukin Intersection Improvements: Stage I
Culvert or Bridge Improvements
Bridget Cove Creek Culvert Replacement
Waydelich Creek: Upper and Lower Wall Repairs
Roadways and Culverts (Emergency repairs)
Pavement Preservation
Douglas Highway Resurface and Sidewalk Repairs: Stage
III
2:06:17 PM
MR. GOINS discussed other Southeast projects on slide 21, titled
"Rural Southeast," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Active Transportation
Harbor Way Pedestrian Improvements and Pitt Island
Cemetery Walkway (Hoonah)
Sitka Pedestrian Seawalk**
Safety
Zimovia Highway Rockfall Mitigation (Wrangell)
Halibut Point Road and Peterson Intersection Safety
Improvements (Sitka)
ADA Improvements (Craig)
Pavement Preservation
State Street Pavement Rehabilitation (Skagway)
New Construction and Reconstruction
Katlian Bay Road (Sitka)
Neck Lake Road Reconstruction NPOWI Highway to Whale
Pass (Prince of Wales)
2:07:57 PM
MR. GOINS discussed improvements occurring in Skagway, slide 22
titled "State Street Pavement Rehabilitation," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Construction: 2024 - 2025
Estimated project cost: Approximately $20M
Scope: Resurface the roadway, replace drainage,
replace curb and gutter, and upgrade curb ramps
Potential Challenges: Historically significant area,
potential ground contamination within project limits,
and high seasonal traffic
2:08:41 PM
MR. GOINS provided an update on the Katlian Bay Road progress
with a map shown on slide 23. Green lines on the map indicate
portions of the road that are completed. Orange areas on the
map have been pioneered. He noted that the Katlian Bay project
is the most challenging job he has faced in his career. The
project has steep terrain and there have been a lot of cost
overruns with the project. He talked about ravine and river
crossings that still need to be constructed.
2:10:27 PM
MR. GOINS, in response to Representative Stutes' questions,
answered that the road connects the end of the road in Sitka to
a network of U.S. Forest Service roads. He said the project
opens rock resources and recreational land. He noted that there
is no population on the new road. The cost of the road in total
is approximately $70 million. The project came about from the
2012 transportation project bond ballot measure.
CHAIR MCCABE recollected that the ballot measure was contentious
at the time and asked about long-term goals for the Katlian Bay
project.
MR. GOINS responded that the purpose of the Katlian Bay project
was to reach U.S. Forest Service roads and public lands. There
are three landowners over the span of the Katlian Bay project
including Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service
4407 easements passed by congress, and Shee Atiká land.
2:14:58 PM
MR. GOINS, in response to Representative Stutes, said that the
Katlian Bay project is a priority for the Southcoast Region, and
the project is moving forward with available funding provided.
He noted three options including closing out and reevaluating
contracts, building everything but the bridges, and completing
the road with the bridges included. The maximum cost of
completing the whole road by Spring 2025 would be $25 million.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed distress around spending $25
million on a road when potholes in her district are
unmaintained.
2:17:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE sought clarification about where the
funding for the Katlian Bay project comes from.
MR. GOINS responded that it is a state funded project. To
qualify for federal dollars, the state-funded project, excluding
bridges, would need to be completed first. All allocated
funding thus far has been spent.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE expressed that in her district roads for
commerce and necessary tsunami evacuation have been neglected.
2:19:22 PM
MR. GOINS, in response to Representative Mina, said that geo
bonds have allowed for money to change hands within the project.
Some of the projects have been federalized in the past.
MS. KEITH noted that committee members' frustrations are heard
loud and clear. She echoed Mr. Goins' message that geo bonds
have limited funds and flexibility. There will be safety
concerns if the project is left incomplete. She mentioned her
aspiration to complete the project with a judicious use of
financial resources.
CHAIR MCCABE expressed his frustration and made a comment about
a snowmobile trail to Houston.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed alarm that the project is moving
forward without funding.
MR. GOINS stated that the contract hasn't ended because there is
a potential for funding in the future. If avenues for future
funding were eliminated, contracts would be terminated and work
would end.
2:23:42 PM
CHAIR MCCABE suggested grant funding should be procured to
finish the Katlian Bay project.
2:24:01 PM
MR. GOINS moved on to slide 24, titled "2024 Airport
Improvements Projects," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Airport Improvements
•Kodiak
•False Pass
•Akutan (Generators)
•Chignik
Terminal Building
•Ketchikan
•Sitka
Visual Aid Replacement
•Saint Paul Island
Equipment
•Adak
•Nelson Lagoon
•Petersburg
•Sand Point
•Saint Paul
Surface Repairs
•Ouzinkie
•Hoonah
lawock
•Skagway
MR. GOINS, in response to Representative McCabe, mentioned that
Adak has a state-owned airport and offered follow-up about
equipment for Adak.
2:27:14 PM
MR. GOINS moved to slide 25, titled "Kodiak Airport Ramp
Improvements," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
•Project timeline accelerated
•Stage 1 to advertise spring 2024
Construction planned summer 2024
•Regional hub airport location, critical
infrastructure
•Airport apron and Taxiway F pavement and lighting
reconstruction
•Project design eliminates the need to dispose of
PFAS-contaminated soil by reusing it in base material
(zerowaste)
MR. GOINS described problems associated with "foreign object
debris" which can cause damage to jet engines. If runway
deterioration continues to worsen, it may prevent jet service
from entering Kodiak Airport. The project has been accelerated
to prevent a loss in airline service. He discussed costly
solutions to per- and Polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) problems
at the airport.
MR. GOINS, in response to Representative McCabe, offered to
follow up with a map of the PFAS contamination data results.
2:30:32 PM
MR. GOINS, in response to Representative Stutes, informed the
committee that the terminal building at Kodiak Airport is owned
by Alaska Airlines.
2:32:46 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:32 p.m. to 2:35 p.m.
2:35:03 PM
JOE KEMP, Regional Director, Northern Region, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities, noted that 2023 was a record
year for projects in the Northern Region as shown on slide 26,
titled "Northern Region Accomplishments 2023," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Totchaket Road
Food Security Project: Agricultural Development
•Phase I in 2022 extended the roadway 4.6 miles
•Phase II was constructed in 2023 and widened sections
of the existing 16-mile roadway and installed pullouts
as needed
•Phase III will be constructed in 2024 and will
install three new bridges and construct subdivision
roads in the DNR land sale areas
MR. KEMP said that contractor payments have increased
significantly over the last few years.
2:38:42 PM
MR. KEMP moved to slide 27, titled "Corridors in the Northern
Region," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Dalton Highway
•Milepost 18-37 Reconstruction
•Milepost 289-305 Rehabilitation
Denali Highway
•Culvert Replacements Glenn Highway
•Milepost 143-154 Resurfacing
Elliott Highway
•Milepost 18-29 Resurfacing
•Milepost 51-63 Rehabilitation Edgerton Highway
•Milepost 24-29 Resurfacing Denali Highway
•Culvert Replacements Glenn Highway
•Milepost 143-154 Resurfacing 2024
Healy Spur Road Rehabilitation
2:39:48 PM
MR. KEMP moved to slide 28, titled "Richardson and Alaska
Highway," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Richardson Highway
• Milepost 35-40 Resurfacing
• Milepost 105 Copper Center Visitor Pavement
• Milepost 106.5-115 Resurfacing
• Milepost 110 Emergency Flooding Repair
• Mile 115 Glennallen Wayside
• Milepost 128-138 Reconstruction
• Milepost 233 Bear Creek Bridge Permanent Repair
• Milepost 266-341 Passing Lanes
• Milepost 351 Interchange
• Milepost 357-362 Bicycle and Pedestrian Path
• Milepost 359 Railroad Grade Separated Facility
Alaska Highway
• Milepost 1235-1268 Rehabilitation
MR. KEMP highlighted the Copper Visitor Center Project which
involved a collaboration to include a new turning lane.
2:41:11 PM
CHAIR MCCABE asked if adding an axel to a semi-trailer is
hurtful or helpful to the road.
2:41:50 PM
MR. KEMP said it depends, sometimes an extra axel helps and
sometimes not. Legal loads are required to prevent bridge
damage.
CHAIR MCCABE asked if Alaska highways can handle extra trucks.
MR. KEMP said the roads are designed to handle the expected
traffic. Adding 96 trucks will have only a minimal impact.
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY asked about the status of Johnson,
Robertson, and Bristol Bridges.
MR. KEMP responded that all three bridges are almost 80 years
old and need replacement. With additional bridge funding in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), those three
projects will be advanced. The bridges are currently in the
design phase. They may be included in the STIP with an
amendment or the next STIP will capture it and it will be done
in four years.
2:47:05 PM
MR. KEMP, in response to Representative McCabe, said that the
three bridge projects have been on the list for decades.
2:47:32 PM
MR. KEMP moved to slide 29, titled "Fairbanks Area," which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Active Transportation
Fairbanks Bike Lane Signing and Striping
Yankovich-Miller Hill Road Reconstruction and Multi-
Use Path
Road and Bridge Reconstruction
Old Steese Shoulder Widening
Chena Ridge Road Resurfacing: Kentshire Drive to
Friar's Way
Aurora Drive-Noyes Slough Bridge Replacement*
Downtown Improvements
ADA Improvements: 4th and 11th Avenues
Fairbanks 5th Avenue Reconstruction
Airport Way and Cushman Street Intersection
Reconstruction
Safety
Traffic Signal Upgrades Fairbanks Area, Denali Park
Woll Road Resurfacing and Widening
Cowles Street Reconstruction: Airport Way to East
Cowles
2:48:13 PM
MR. KEMP moved to slide 30, titled "Northwest and Western
Alaska," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Cape Blossom Road Phase II (Kotzebue)
•Phase I completed 2023
•Phase II beginning Fall 2024
•Improved access to barge landing site
•Reduced shipping costs on barged materials to
Kotzebue and communities in the Northwest Arctic
Borough
Seppala Drive Rehabilitation and Realignment (Nome)
Sanitation Road Erosion Control (Shishmaref)
MR. KEMP said that Phase II of the Cape Blossom Road project
will create a road to a deep-water port.
2:49:25 PM
MR. KEMP discussed the maintenance involved for a list of rural
airports in the Northern Region on slide 31, titled "2024
Airport Improvement Projects," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Airport Improvements
•Chalkyitsik
•Deadhorse
•Kotzebue
•Marshall
•Point Hope
Snow Removal Equipment Building (SREB)
•Valdez
Equipment
•Alakanuk
•Barrow
•Cordova
•Galena
•Golovin
•Huslia
Lake Minchumina
•Marshall
•Mountain Village
•Nulato
•Shageluk
•Saint Mary's
•Stebbins
Surface Repairs
•Coldfoot
•Deadhorse
•Kotzebue
2:50:16 PM
MR. KEMP concluded the presentation with slide 32, titled "Saint
Mary's Airport Improvements," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
•Construction began 2023
•To be completed 2024
•Upgrade runway to current FAA standards
•Replace runway and taxiway lights
•Regional hub airport location, critical
infrastructure
•Able to support emergency repairs to nearby Russian
Mission airport after flooding
MR. KEMP said that because of flooding on the Yukon River the
Russian Mission airport was about two and a half feet under
water. The runway resurfacing project for the Russian Mission
airport will be finished up this year.
2:51:14 PM
CHAIR MCCABE thanked the presenters.
2:52:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE thanked DOT&PF for working to distribute
and post "Are You Safe?" human trafficking stickers in airports
and ferry terminals across the state.
2:53:20 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:53
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| H TRA - Jan 30 - DOT&PF Construction Status and 2024 Preview Presentation.pdf |
HTRA 1/30/2024 1:00:00 PM |