Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124

01/25/2024 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION

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01:02:01 PM Start
01:02:48 PM Presentation(s): Department of Transportation 2023 Year in Review
02:49:10 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ Presentation: Department of Transportation 2023 TELECONFERENCED
Year in Review by Commissioner Ryan Anderson
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
            HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                           
                        January 25, 2024                                                                                        
                           1:02 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                             DRAFT                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair                                                                                              
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair                                                                                          
Representative Tom McKay                                                                                                        
Representative Craig Johnson                                                                                                    
Representative Jesse Sumner                                                                                                     
Representative Louise Stutes                                                                                                    
Representative Genevieve Mina                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PRESENTATION(S): DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2023 YEAR IN                                                                      
REVIEW                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
No previous action to record                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER RYAN ANDERSON                                                                                                      
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities                                                                         
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented a PowerPoint titled "DOT&PF Year                                                               
in Review."                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison                                                                                                 
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities                                                                         
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions during a PowerPoint                                                                   
titled "DOT&PF Year in Review."                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:02:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  KEVIN  MCCABE  called the  House  Transportation  Standing                                                             
Committee meeting to  order at 1:02 p.m.   Representatives McKay,                                                               
Vance, Stutes, Mina, Sumner, and  McCabe were present at the call                                                               
to order.   Representative C. Johnson arrived as  the meeting was                                                               
in progress.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
^PRESENTATION(S):  Department  of  Transportation  2023  Year  in                                                               
Review                                                                                                                          
   PRESENTATION(S): Department of Transportation 2023 Year in                                                               
                             Review                                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
1:02:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE announced  that the only order of  business would be                                                               
the   Department   of   Transportation  2023   Year   in   Review                                                               
presentation.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:03:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER RYAN  ANDERSON, Alaska Department  of Transportation                                                               
and  Public Facilities,  presented  a  PowerPoint titled  "DOT&PF                                                               
Year in  Review."  He proceeded  to slide 2, titled  "By Land, By                                                               
Air, By  Sea - It  Takes a  Team," which featured  cross function                                                               
support  within   the  Department  of  Transportation   &  Public                                                               
Facilities  (DOT&PF).    Included  on the  slide  were  strategic                                                               
assets,   maintenance   and    operations,   and   infrastructure                                                               
development which he summarized.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:06:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON continued  to  focus  on the  "Contracting                                                               
Office"  point on  slide 2  and explained  that contracting  is a                                                               
major part  of what  DOT&PF does,  and to make  sure it  is being                                                               
done right.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:07:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 1:07 p.m. to 1:13 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:13:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON proceeded to  slide 3, titled "DOT&PF Front                                                               
Lines," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Highways and Aviation (H&A)                                                                                              
     FY24 Authorized: $173.5M                                                                                                   
     FY23 Actuals: $171.3M                                                                                                      
     Position Counts: 509 PFT                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Statewide Equipment Fleet (SEF)                                                                                          
     FY24 Authorized: $38.3M                                                                                                    
     FY23 Actuals: $35.6M                                                                                                       
     Position Counts: 156 PFT                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
    Measurement    Standards    and   Commercial    Vehicle                                                                   
     Compliance (MSCVC)                                                                                                       
     FY24 Authorized: $7.7M                                                                                                     
     FY23 Actuals: $6.1M                                                                                                        
     Position Counts: 61                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:14:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE asked whether commercial vehicle compliance staff                                                                  
are badge law enforcement or give citations.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON  responded  that  staff  are  specific  to                                                               
commercial  vehicles  and have  the  ability  to cite  commercial                                                               
vehicle drivers  for safety infractions.   He continued  on slide                                                               
4,  titled  "Front  Lines  Workforce,"   which  read  as  follows                                                               
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     H&A                                                                                                                      
      • Critical Job Class Vacancies: Equipment Operators                                                                       
      • 621 Equipment Operators (seasonal + permanent), 180                                                                     
        or 28.9% vacancy rate statewide                                                                                         
          ? 75% Southfork                                                                                                       
          ? 67% Dalton Camp                                                                                                     
          ? 60% Northway                                                                                                        
      • 14 Maintenance Districts                                                                                                
       80 Staffed DOT&PF Maintenance Camps                                                                                      
      • 235 Airports: Over 20 have Part 139 Certification                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     MSCVC                                                                                                                    
      • Critical Job Class Vacancies: Compliance Inspectors                                                                     
      • 34 CVC's, 11 or 32% Vacancy rate statewide                                                                              
           ? 8 of 16 filled in Anchorage                                                                                        
           ? 9 Weigh Stations                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     SEF                                                                                                                      
      • Critical Job Class Vacancies: Mechanics                                                                                 
      • 31 or 22% mechanic vacancies statewide                                                                                  
           ? 50% in Denali, Nome, Ketchikan                                                                                     
           ? 67% in Valdez, Bethel                                                                                              
           ? 100 in Tazlina                                                                                                     
     • Co-located with Maintenance Camps in Districts                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON added  that it  is a  tough time  in rural                                                               
Alaska in particular.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:16:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  asked whether there  was a budgetary  maneuver with                                                               
one of  the camps  to allow a  bit of overtime.   He  pointed out                                                               
Dalton.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   ANDERSON  concurred   that   there  were   efforts                                                               
regarding  the Dalton  Highway that  seemed to  have helped.   He                                                               
added there had  also been mission critical incentive  pay with a                                                               
30 percent increase.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:18:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA  offered a comment  related to  incentive pay                                                               
vacancies and  wages at DOT&PF.   She noted there are  people who                                                               
apply  to DOT&PF  to receive  training,  then jump  to a  private                                                               
sector  position  with  a  more  competitive  wage.    She  asked                                                               
Commissioner Anderson to comment on some of these aspects.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  stated he  could not  comment too  much on                                                               
particulars  of  existing   wages  and  how  it   ties  to  labor                                                               
relations.   He  reiterated  the mission  critical incentive  pay                                                               
helped some,  and it would  extend to  other areas after  it goes                                                               
through the  union.  He  continued to discuss  commercial vehicle                                                               
compliance.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:21:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON  moved  to   slide  5,  titled  "Focus  on                                                               
Safety,"  and  he explained  the  graph  referencing 2023  worker                                                               
compensation claims.   He added that  DOT&PF had a good  trend on                                                               
it, and that it was a success story.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:22:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  referenced the Alaska Marine  Highway System (AMHS)                                                               
claims per  worker being high  and questioned whether it  was due                                                               
to being shipboard.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON replied that slips, trips, and falls were                                                                 
the primary.  Storms during sailings are also a factor, and                                                                     
there are higher risks on the ocean.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:23:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  proceeded to slide 6,  titled "Front Lines                                                               
Challenges,"  featuring a  list from  September 2022  to December                                                               
2023 of  all the events  DOT&PF had  responded to, which  read as                                                               
follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     September 2022                                                                                                           
     • Typhoon Merbok Emergency Repairs                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     January 2023                                                                                                             
     • Seward Highway: Ice Fall diversion                                                                                       
     • Tok Cutoff Road closed: avalanche                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     May 2023                                                                                                                 
     • Funny River Road MP 8 washout                                                                                            
     • Taylor Highway Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                                
     • Eagle Mission Road Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                            
     • Richardson Hwy MP 330 Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                         
     • Nome Kougarok Road Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                            
     • Russian Mission Airport Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                       
     • Stevens Village AprtRd Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                        
     • Glenn Hwy MP 186-188 Emergency Flooding                                                                                  
     • Dalton Highway MP 404 Emergency Repairs                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     June 2023                                                                                                                
     • Dalton Highway MP 404 Emergency Repairs continue                                                                         
     • ChitinaO'Brien Creek Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                          
       • Dalton Highway Koyukuk River #1 Bridge Emergency                                                                       
     Repairs                                                                                                                    
      • Elliott Highway MP 85.9 closure: failed culvert &                                                                       
     erosion repair                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     July 2023                                                                                                                
        • Seward Hwy: partnered w/agencies to free sheep                                                                        
     caught in rockfall mesh                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     August 2023                                                                                                              
     • Mendenhall River Emergency Flooding Repairs                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     September 2023                                                                                                           
     • Glacier Highway Rockfall                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     November 2023                                                                                                            
     • Wrangell: ZimoviaHighway Landslide                                                                                       
     • Southcentral widespread snowstorm/rain/wind                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     December 2023                                                                                                            
      • Richardson Highway at Thompson Pass and MP 182-200                                                                      
     closed: avalanche                                                                                                          
         • Valdez/Glenallen: Richardson Hwy closed from                                                                         
     milepost 12 to 65: numerous avalanches                                                                                     
       • Klondike Hwy closed: heavy snowfall, inoperable                                                                        
     plows                                                                                                                      
     • Seward Highway Mileposts MP 36-40 closed: Avalanche                                                                      
     • Haines Highway closed: Rockfall                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:26:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE commented  on the pictures on  the slide and                                                               
stated it was sobering to see  all the events just from one year.                                                               
She  asked  what   DOT&PF  had  learned  from   these  pieces  of                                                               
infrastructure that could be improved.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  responded DOT&PF  is planning on  having a                                                               
whole  presentation dedicated  to the  events [on  slide 6].   He                                                               
added when  something happens,  staff gets  notified at  the same                                                               
time and  starts to think  together.  Technology  and information                                                               
flow is important and there  are real-time drones that relay what                                                               
is happening, he said.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:30:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA questioned  how  the number  of events  from                                                               
2023 compared to previous years.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON replied DOT&PF  does not have exact numbers                                                               
yet.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  expressed  curiosity  whether  there  is  a                                                               
climate  or sustainable  plan  that  incorporates an  anticipated                                                               
increase in climate-related events.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  confirmed there is a  resiliency plan that                                                               
is  federally  recommended  and   provides  benefits  related  to                                                               
resiliency type activities.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:32:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  continued on slide 7,  titled "Front Lines                                                               
Challenges,"  which featured  bridge  strikes  and repeated  hits                                                               
since 2012.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:34:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked whether  there is a correlation between                                                               
having new drivers in the bridge  strikes and if it is emphasized                                                               
in CDL training.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON  replied  that  DOT&PF did  not  have  the                                                               
correlation,  but  it  could  be  a  possibility,  and  he  noted                                                               
increased  education is  key.   He continued  on slide  8, titled                                                               
"Front   Lines   Challenges,"   which  featured   inflation   and                                                               
estimating.    He  noted  that  it had  been  very  difficult  to                                                               
estimate rural Alaska's mobilization costs on projects.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:36:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE suggested  the possibility that DOT&PF  has too many                                                               
highways it  should not  have and  loses money  if the  roads are                                                               
given back to the municipalities.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON brought  up road  priority and  ownership,                                                               
and  he   explained  there  are   tools  online  that   show  the                                                               
relationships DOT&PF has with the roads.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE asked if there would  be a loss of federal money if,                                                               
for example, a road was given back to the Kodiak Island Borough.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  expressed that he  did not believe  so but                                                               
would research the question.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:39:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON  moved  to  slide 9,  titled  "Front  Line                                                               
Focus," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Snow and Ice Removal                                                                                                     
     • Road Priorities/Non-Motorized Priorities                                                                                 
          ? New Tools and changes                                                                                               
     • Contracting                                                                                                              
          ? Emergency Contracts  Storm Events                                                                                   
          ? Term Contracts                                                                                                      
               o Fairbanks Area Priority 3 & 4 Roads                                                                            
               o   Anchorage    Area   Priority   3    &   4                                                                    
               Roads/Sidewalks and Paths                                                                                        
               ? Southwest & Southeast Anchorage Roads                                                                          
               ? Northeast Anchorage/Eagle River/Chugiak                                                                        
               ?       Sidewalks/Paths       Anchorage/Eagle                                                                    
          River/Birchwood                                                                                                       
     • Liquid versus Solid Chemical Deicers                                                                                     
          ? Kenai Petition & Public Meeting                                                                                     
          ? Chemical use varies across the State based on                                                                       
     climate                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  noted there would be  future presentations                                                               
on  DOT&PF's  road  priorities.   In  addition,  the  slide  also                                                               
featured a graph  showing the amounts in inches  for the snowiest                                                               
Novembers in Anchorage.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:41:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  gave an example of  the sidewalks and paths  in Big                                                               
Lake, Alaska.   He  noted a  dangerous sidewalk  being "plugged,"                                                               
and asked Commissioner Anderson whether  he had a contractor with                                                               
a piece of  equipment that could tend to the  sidewalk as well as                                                               
the many others in the state.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  replied absolutely, and he  added he could                                                               
bring forward some contracting costs.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:42:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  asked   whether  DOT&PF  was  reevaluating                                                               
emergency contracts.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON replied there is  an increase in the use of                                                               
contractors, and this year it is in Anchorage and Juneau.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:45:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MCKAY   opined  the   state  must   do  something                                                               
different regarding the  amount of snow affecting  the streets in                                                               
Southwest Anchorage, which are not  the city's responsibility but                                                               
the  state's.   He  also requested  to see  an  inventory of  the                                                               
equipment that  works on the highways.   He noted a  safety issue                                                               
being that  emergency vehicles  had trouble  getting around.   If                                                               
more resources are  needed, he noted his  constituents would want                                                               
the legislature to pursue it.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:48:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA  stated that  she agreed  with Representative                                                               
McKay and appreciated the snow  summit that was held last winter.                                                               
She  noted the  Americans  with Disabilities  Act (ADA)  concerns                                                               
with the sidewalks, and many  constituents rely on the bus system                                                               
especially during  winter.   She further  noted that  between the                                                               
DOT&PF roads and municipality roads there are safety concerns.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   ANDERSON  replied   that   DOT&PF   had  been   in                                                               
discussions   with   the  municipalities   regarding   addressing                                                               
sidewalks and roads to make sure  they get taken care of the most                                                               
efficient way.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:51:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE   referred  to  the   the  next  snow   summit  and                                                               
anticipated having discussions on the lessons learned.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:51:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON returned  to slide 9 and  the final bullet,                                                               
"chemical use varies  across the state based on  climate," and he                                                               
discussed liquid versus  solid chemical de-icers.   He then moved                                                               
to slide 10, titled "Front  Line Focus," which featured abandoned                                                               
vehicle  removal, as  well as  a tracking  sheet for  fiscal year                                                               
2024 (FY 24).                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  asked about recouping  the cost from the  owner who                                                               
left the vehicle.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  said he was  not aware at this  point, but                                                               
DOT&PF works with insurance companies over other costs.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:55:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ANDY   MILLS,   Legislative   Liaison,   Alaska   Department   of                                                               
Transportation  and  Public  Facilities,  joined  the  discussion                                                               
while slide 10 was shown and  said that $100,000 is fairly modest                                                               
[budgeted in FY 24].  He  further explained a remote removal done                                                               
in Jakalof Bay in Seldovia, Alaska,  also shown on the slide.  He                                                               
added that  DOT&PF anticipate an  increase in  abandoned vehicles                                                               
as towing and  scrapping become more expensive.   In reference to                                                               
the spreadsheet  shown on the right  side of the slide,  he noted                                                               
that costs added up to $64,000 spent in the first six months.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:58:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  stressed that  vehicle  removal  is a  big                                                               
issue in her  district.  She referred to  a previous conversation                                                               
about DOT&PF  working on a  statewide inventory to find  out what                                                               
the need is in the budget  overall.  She opined that the $100,000                                                               
is utilized well focusing on  areas that deal with public safety.                                                               
She brought up the importance  of airport contracts and the long-                                                               
term parking issue and asked about the holdup.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. MILLS  gave an  example of Homer  being "painful"  before the                                                               
appropriation.   There  were talks  in the  city about  potential                                                               
partnerships,  and  in  Sitka,  DOT&PF  put  out  a  request  for                                                               
proposal  (RFP).   He  added  that  Sitka  and Homer  were  being                                                               
handled  differently,  as  well  as looking  at  further  options                                                               
available.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:01:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES echoed what  Representative Vance said, and                                                               
in reference to  Kodiak, she said she had people  come to her and                                                               
offered to clean  things up themselves, who do not,  in turn, get                                                               
a  response   from  DOT&PF.     She  stressed  that   towns  need                                                               
partnerships and communication with DOT&PF.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:03:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  asked whether there  is a path to  mitigate someone                                                               
just leaving cars abandoned.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STUTES related  reading about  Washington statute                                                               
regarding  boats, and  fees going  to a  government agency.   She                                                               
offered her opinion that it was a statute being enforced.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:04:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  said  she   had  team  meetings  with  the                                                               
Department of Public  Safety (DPS) regarding a  minimal fine, and                                                               
it  is difficult  to  find owners  and recoup  the  cost for  the                                                               
vehicles since most of the vehicles have little to no value.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:06:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  continued to slide 11,  titled "Front Line                                                               
Focus,"  featuring Per-  and  Polyfluoroalkyl substances  (PFAS),                                                               
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     • New Flourine-Free Foams are becoming available                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     • FY25  Budget includes  $2.5M to begin  transition for                                                                    
     25 Airports                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     •   New   EPA    Maximum   Contaminant   Limits   (MCL)                                                                    
     implementation timeline not established yet                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     • DOT&PF  continues site  characterization, monitoring,                                                                    
     public   information,    and   providing    access   to                                                                    
     alternative water sources.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:07:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  asked whether  DOT&PF is going  to address                                                               
airports that have  a PFAS situation in their water  supply.  She                                                               
sought  clarification if  that is  what  the $2.5  million is  in                                                               
reference to.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON answered that the  $2.5 million is to begin                                                               
the transition to fluorine-free foams.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES brought up  Yakutat having a "huge problem"                                                               
with PFAS, and she asked  whether their situation, or any airport                                                               
with similar issues, would be addressed.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   ANDERSON  responded   that  DOT&PF   is  currently                                                               
addressing  things  in  different  areas,  but  tasks  have  been                                                               
restricted  to providing  alternative  water sources.   He  added                                                               
that how everything works with funding must be considered.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:10:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  continued on slide 12,  titled "Front Line                                                               
Focus," which  featured the Dalton  Highway and  Whittier Tunnel,                                                               
and read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Dalton Highway / Alaska Highway                                                                                          
     • Increased trucking  activities: over 3,000 additional                                                                    
     loads to support oil development                                                                                           
     • New activities being  proposed: Liquified Natural Gas                                                                    
     (LNG) to Fairbanks                                                                                                         
     •   Continued  capital   investment:  need   for  heavy                                                                    
     maintenance                                                                                                                
     • Ore Haul activities on Alaska Highway                                                                                    
     Whittier Tunnel                                                                                                          
     •   2022  FHWA   review  of   Tolling  agreements   and                                                                    
     Maintenance Contracts                                                                                                      
     •  Tolling  Agreement:  Initial Determination  was  80%                                                                    
     participate rate.  Subsequent discussions  regarding 23                                                                    
     USC  218   resulted  in   determination  of   100%  Fed                                                                    
     Participation                                                                                                              
     •  Maintenance Contract:  FHWA determined  51% of  work                                                                    
     eligible. Resulting in shortfall of $2.9M                                                                                  
     • Developing revised tolling agreement                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:12:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON  moved to  slide  13,  titled "Front  Line                                                               
Focus," which featured the Ketchikan  number 797 Water St Viaduct                                                               
and read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     88  span  1,624-foot-long   structure  comprised  of  a                                                                    
     reinforced  concrete  tee  -beam superstructure  and  a                                                                    
     reinforced  concrete   pier  and   column  substructure                                                                    
     founded on driven concrete piles.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     High-corrosion  marine   environment  Situated   in  an                                                                  
     environment with :                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                              
     •   Daily   tidal  fluctuations,   restrict   necessary                                                                    
     preventative maintenance work to be performed                                                                              
     •   Notable   degradation    in   both   the   concrete                                                                    
     superstructure and substructure,  including issues such                                                                    
     as   delamination,   concrete   section   loss,   rebar                                                                    
     corrosion/section  loss, and  deep/long cracks  in pier                                                                    
     caps and columns                                                                                                           
     •  Restricting traffic  over specific  portions of  the                                                                    
     roadway  due  to a  calculated  decrease  in live  load                                                                    
     carrying capacity of structural elements                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:13:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON   moved  to  slide  14,   titled  "Highway                                                               
Safety," which featured crash fatalities  from 2019 through 2023.                                                               
He drew attention to 2023 being  a positive in that the number of                                                               
fatalities decreased, and he noted  the numbers were preliminary.                                                               
He further explained  that DOT&PF is doing a number  of things on                                                               
the safety front.  The  slide also featured collaborations DOT&PF                                                               
anticipated.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:16:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE brought  up  speed  limits in  his  area, and  that                                                               
communities were curious  about how the speeds  are determined on                                                               
various  roads.    He  further  praised  responses  by  emergency                                                               
medical services (EMS) staff in reference to a recent accident.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:19:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA thanked  DOT&PF for all the  items related to                                                               
"Complete   Streets"   and   being   mindful   of   non-motorized                                                               
transportation and pedestrians.   She commended the collaboration                                                               
between DOT&PF and the Municipality of Anchorage.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:21:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  said he appreciated  DOT&PF's focus and  noted that                                                               
transportation does not have to  be only cars, trucks, or asphalt                                                               
roads.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:21:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON continued  to  slide  15, titled  "Surface                                                               
Transportation   -  Capital   Program,"  that   featured  design,                                                               
engineering, and construction.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Federal Highway Program                                                                                                  
      Successfully obligated $936M of federal aid highways                                                                      
     projects and grants.                                                                                                       
          •  Includes  August  redistribution  -  additional                                                                    
     $108M in transportation funds                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Competitive Discretionary Grants                                                                                         
          •  Applied for  over  $2.4B  in competitive  grant                                                                    
     opportunities across all modes                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
       Alaskans awarded Surface Transportation grants in                                                                      
     excess of $692M                                                                                                          
          •   National  Culvert   Removal  Replacement   and                                                                    
     Restoration Grant Program 2022: $44.1M                                                                                     
          •  Multimodal  Project  Disc. Grant  (MPDG)  Rural                                                                    
     Surface Program Grant Awards 2022: $10M                                                                                    
          • Reconnecting Communities 2022: $537K                                                                                
          •   Rebuilding    American   Infrastructure   with                                                                    
     Sustainability and Equity 2023: $27.8M                                                                                     
          •   Rebuilding    American   Infrastructure   with                                                                    
     Sustainability and Equity 2022: $13.0M                                                                                     
          •  Safe Streets  and  Roads for  All (SS4A)  2023:                                                                    
     $1.2M                                                                                                                      
          • Maritime Administration (MARAD) Funded: $185.6M                                                                     
          • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Ferry                                                                          
     Related: $416.4M                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:22:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON continued  to  slide  16, titled  "Capital                                                               
Focus  Points  and  Highlights,"  which  featured  the  Statewide                                                               
Transportation Improvement  Program (STIP).   He  said STIP  is a                                                               
big  focus for  DOT&PF currently,  and the  goal is  to get  to a                                                               
final STIP  document.  He  added that the document  was submitted                                                               
to the  Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)  recently and would                                                               
take 30 days for approval, partial approval, or denial.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:24:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  observed the difference  in the number  of comments                                                               
between previous  STIPs and  the new  ESTIP.   He stressed  it is                                                               
important that the public know there is  a place it can go and be                                                               
heard.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  said DOT&PF is leveraging  technology more                                                               
so now, being more people communicate that way.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE stated  the numbers  show DOT&PF  is headed  in the                                                               
right direction.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA expressed  her appreciation  for the  online                                                               
STIP process and said her constituents are very engaged in it.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:27:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  said he hoped  to continue  receiving that                                                               
kind of  engagement.  He  proceeded to  slides 17 and  18, titled                                                               
"Alaska  Marine   Highway  System."     Slide  17   featured  the                                                               
maintenance  program and  read as  follows [original  punctuation                                                               
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Vessel Management System                                                                                                 
     ? Starlink                                                                                                                 
     ? Vessel Server Installation                                                                                               
     ? AMOS                                                                                                                     
     • Preventative Maintenance Modules                                                                                         
     • Health Safety Security Environment                                                                                       
     • Project Management                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Shipyard Planning                                                                                                        
     • Written Shipyard Specifications                                                                                          
     • Goal: shorter overhauls, lower costs                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Vessel Schedule System Upgrade                                                                                           
     • Beta testing in-house systems                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:29:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   SUMNER   asked   whether   the   vessel   server                                                               
installation could help with electronic gaming devices.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON replied that  the vessels are becoming more                                                               
modern in many ways, and there is access to the Internet.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:30:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said she  appreciated the responsiveness of                                                               
DOT&PF,  as well  its encouragement  of the  relationship between                                                               
the highway system and marine pilots.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:31:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON continued to  slide 18, also titled "Alaska                                                               
Marine  Highway   System,"  which   featured  4th   quarter  2023                                                               
recruitment stats  and efforts.   He pointed out what  is holding                                                               
DOT&PF back  regarding the  highway system  are crews  and ships.                                                               
He summarized the  chart on the left side of  the slide featuring                                                               
crew  status,  where he  noted  a  slight improvement,  and  that                                                               
DOT&PF is looking at bringing in a dedicated crew manager.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:34:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  asked whether there  are scholarship  programs with                                                               
the Alaska Vocational Technical  Center (AVTEC) to attract people                                                               
to the ferry system.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON   replied  that  he  would   get  back  to                                                               
Representative McCabe after researching the question.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:35:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  moved to  slide 19,  titled "International                                                               
Airport   System,"   featuring    the   Ted   Stevens   Anchorage                                                               
International Airport  (ANC) and Fairbanks  International Airport                                                               
(FAI).    He spoke  about  the  November  2023 winter  storm  and                                                               
aircraft diversions.  He stressed  how the airports work together                                                               
and noted  that there are  diversions from the military  as well.                                                               
He  proceeded to  slide 20,  also  titled "International  Airport                                                               
System," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
          Major Investment Activities                                                                                         
     • ANC: Proposed UPS Expansion                                                                                              
     • ANC: Fed Ex Expansion                                                                                                    
     • ANC: Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage                                                                                       
     • FAI: DNR/BLM Joint Wildland Firefighting Facility                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     International's Capital Investment FFY2023                                                                               
     • Airport Improvement Program $73.8M                                                                                       
     • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law $14.3M                                                                                     
     Total: $88.1M                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON noted  the NorthLink  Aviation development                                                               
was missed on the slide.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:37:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON  continued  to  slide  21,  titled  "Rural                                                               
Aviation,"  and he  noted  it  was another  strong  year for  the                                                               
capital  program.    He  focused  on  the  federal  Strengthening                                                               
Mobility  and Revolutionizing  Transportation  (SMART) Grant  and                                                               
Alaska's  rural   remote  operations  workplan   featuring  drone                                                               
technology.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE said  he  had conversations  with  Mr. Mills  about                                                               
establishing   a  dashboard   for  airports   that  would   relay                                                               
information  regarding  airports,  such  as plowing.    He  noted                                                               
DOT&PF being adept at putting  together dashboard information for                                                               
the public.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  confirmed that  DOT&PF is working  on many                                                               
modernizations.     He  added   that  plow   vehicles'  automated                                                               
locations are being looked into as well.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:39:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON moved  to  slide 22,  titled "Division  of                                                               
Facility  Services,"  which  featured  construction  procurement,                                                               
resource allocations,  and improved  asset management.   He noted                                                               
that  DOT&PF   is  delegating  more   staff  to  be   trained  in                                                               
construction jobs.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:40:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  concluded on  slide 23,  titled "Advancing                                                               
Opportunity,"  which   read  as  follows   [original  punctuation                                                               
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     • Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)                                                                                              
     • Ice Roads, Winter trails, Frontier Roads                                                                                 
     • M11 Marine Highway Route                                                                                                 
     • Regional Planning Organizations                                                                                          
     • Metropolitan Planning Organizations                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:42:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  asked about  a  new  technology office  for                                                               
DOT&PF and  how the department  is using  artificial intelligence                                                               
(AI) in the division.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  ANDERSON replied  that the  department is  careful,                                                               
and there  are ethical considerations.   He noted that  DOT&PF is                                                               
aware that  many people use  AI, and  to keep up,  the department                                                               
must figure it out.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:43:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE C.  JOHNSON brought  up the  pay system  and asked                                                               
Commissioner Anderson  what kind of  numbers DOT&PF had  in terms                                                               
of inaccurate pay for state employees.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON  replied that DOT&PF  saw a fair  amount of                                                               
pay problems the past months, but  there is a positive trend, and                                                               
added  that   the  department  designated   a  position   at  the                                                               
commissioner's office to handle such  issues.  Regarding AMHS, he                                                               
said union contracts  are complicated and payroll  was taken back                                                               
to be run by DOT&PF.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:46:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  C.  JOHNSON noted  that  if  there are  retention                                                               
problems in the  state, checks must be cut.   He further noted he                                                               
would   bring   pay   issues  up   to   other   departments   and                                                               
subcommittees.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE noted something similar  to the designated person in                                                               
DOT&PF would  be helpful.  He  added that he was  looking forward                                                               
to  the   drone  presentation   forthcoming.    He   thanked  the                                                               
presenters and discussed future business.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:49:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no further business before the committee, the House                                                                 
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:49                                                                 
p.m.                                                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
DOTPF Year in Review.Presentation.1.25.24.pdf HTRA 1/25/2024 1:00:00 PM