Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/16/2021 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Roads and Highways | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 16, 2021
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Robert Myers, Chair
Senator Mike Shower, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN MACKINNON, Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint on Roads and
Highways.
ROB CARPENTER, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Assisted in presenting a PowerPoint on Roads
and Highways.
RYAN ANDERSON, PE; Regional Director
Northern Region
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways
for the Northern Region.
WOLFGANG JUNGE, PE; Regional Director
Central Region
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways
for the Central Region.
LANCE MEARIG, PE; Regional Director
Southcoast Region
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways
for the Southcoast Region.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:20 PM
CHAIR ROBERT MYERS called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Bishop, Shower, Micciche and Chair Myers.
Senator Kiehl arrived as the meeting was in progress.
^OVERVIEW: ROADS and HIGHWAYS
OVERVIEW: ROADS and HIGHWAYS
1:34:59 PM
CHAIR MYERS announced that the only order of business would be
an OVERVIEW: ROADS and HIGHWAYS. He noted the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities would present a PowerPoint.
1:36:00 PM
JOHN MACKINNON, Commissioner, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF), Juneau, Alaska, began a PowerPoint on
Roads and Highways. He highlighted the significant span of
responsibility and service of DOTPF roads and highways as shown
on slide 2. This slide showed a map of Alaska superimposed on
the Lower 48 that illustrates the immense size of Alaska. He
listed the department structure: Statewide Aviation, Alaska
International Airport System, Alaska Marine Highway System,
Design and Engineering Services, Facilities Services Division,
Measurement Standards & Commercial Vehicle Compliance, Program
Development, State Equipment Fleet. The department is divided
into three regions: The Northern Region, headquartered in
Fairbanks, the Central Region headquartered in Anchorage and the
Southcoast Region headquartered in Juneau.
1:37:59 PM
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON provided the department's infrastructure
statistics consisting of 11,894 lane miles of roads, 74 staffed
maintenance stations, 235 rural state airports, 2 International
airports, 12 Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferries, 35
ports of call, 835 DOTPF owned bridges, 7,371 pieces of state
equipment & vehicles, 837 public buildings maintained, 9 weigh
stations and the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial (Whittier)
Tunnel.
1:40:31 PM
ROB CARPENTER, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities (DOTPF), Juneau, Alaska, assisted in
presenting a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways. He reviewed the
department's total FY 2021 operating budget of $606,220,400 on
slide 3. He referred to the pie chart identifying $167,381.1
million in unrestricted general funds (UGF) and $101,422.9
million in designated general funds (DGF), which includes the
federal receipts of $167,381,900. It also included the capital
improvement project receipts which showed that a significant
portion of the federal capital program actually flowed into the
operating budget for design and engineering and consultants. The
last segment of other funds in the amount of $167,381,100
relates to airports, international airports, equipment fleet and
marine highway funds.
MR. CARPENTER reviewed the pie chart depicting the FY 2021
Capital Budget which totaled $1,009,521 billion. The department
typically has a $1 billion Capital Improvement Budget, he said.
Of the $875,975,200 in federal receipts, a significant amount
flows into the operating budget for design and engineering and
the rest flows to construction, other phases of the program and
federal aviation, he said. The UGF of $65 million provided
matching funds for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and
federal aviation programs and the smaller segments related to
DGF and other funds.
MR. CARPENTER directed attention to the line graph that depicted
the general fund (GF) operating budget for UGF and DGF. The red
line depicts highways and aviation programs and the blue line
depicts AMHS, he said. He explained that these programs
represent the largest portions of the budget that are general
fund monies. The key takeaway is that as the fiscal environment
has been more difficult, the general funds have declined
significantly, he said.
MR. CARPENTER related that in FY 2019, AMHS had a $40 million
reduction during a period of general decline in maintenance and
operations (M&O) as depicted in the red line. The department
closed several highway maintenance stations. Currently, the
department was tasked with reopening several highway maintenance
stations, including the Silvertip Maintenance Station [covering
the Seward Highway from Moose Pass through Turnagain Pass and
the Hope Highway]. He mentioned several other closed stations
[north of Valdez], including Chitina and Birch Lake maintenance
stations. He related that DOTPF's position count totaled 3,338
positions, of which 2,920 were fulltime positions. Any
reductions to the general fund budget will directly impact M&O
services for roads, highways, rural airports and AMHS, he said.
1:44:30 PM
SENATOR SHOWER asked him to identify the vacancy rates. He asked
him to describe the allocation and how that would affect the
federal match.
MR. CARPENTER offered to get back to him on vacancy rates since
the rates varied for each component. He emphasized that the
department has experienced significant challenges in recruiting
and retaining employees for M&O and AMHS. In terms of federal
matching funds, the two operating programs on the line graph
were different from the department's capital program, which is
depicted on the pie chart. The state has always had significant
match to acquire and obligate these funds. In fact, last year
the department had a record year and obligated $720 million in
federal funds. However, this has tightened up over time so the
department will request more match in the FY 2022 budget to
ensure it can capture all available funding, he said.
1:46:50 PM
SENATOR BISHOP asked him to provide a graph from FY 2012-21 with
the position reductions.
MR. CARPENTER agreed to do so.
1:47:24 PM
MR. CARPENTER reviewed the roads and highway funding and
positions on slide 4. This slide depicted the FY 2020 DOTPF
expenditures by fund source to capture the funds spent on roads
and highways. He turned to a pie chart that illustrated the
total operating budget by major fund groups. He noted the DGF of
$88.9 million. This figure has been broken out further to show
motor fuel tax receipts, which represents a major portion of the
M&O for highways, he said. Just showing general funds would
under depict the full authority the department needs to operate
its roads and highways, he said. He directed attention to the
$34 million in motor fuel tax receipts used for M&O. He stated
the remaining $54 million was designated general funds (DGF),
primarily consisting of AMHS revenue. He reviewed the regional
FY 2020 Highway UGF and DGF expenditures by region: The Northern
Region at $43 million, the Central Region at $29 million, and
the Southcoast Region at $10 million. He listed highway M&O
expenditures at $36 million and non-highway UGF and DGF
expenditures at $54.56 million. He reported AMHS expenditures of
$91 million. He noted the department considered AMHS as an
extension of the highway system. AMHS component also included
UGF of $50 million with AMHS revenue of $45 million.
MR. CARPENTER referred to a table that listed the funding
sources for each of the regions. The Northern Region (NR) has
approximately $17 million in motor fuel tax receipts. He stated
the key point was that declining motor fuel tax receipts
reflected the hollow authority in the budget. It has caused
unintended budget reductions and considerable difficulty in
maintaining Alaska's highways. Lastly, the lower left table
provided the PCN Count for Highways and Aviation by region:
Central Region at 180, Northern Region at 322, Southcoast Region
at 92 totaling of 594 positions, which represented 18 percent of
the budget.
1:52:03 PM
SENATOR SHOWER referred to the breakdown for highways and
aviation. He asked if he would provide a breakdown of AMHS
expenditures by region.
MR. CARPENTER said he had not considered breaking out these
figures for the system regionally, but he offered to research
this and report back to the committee.
1:53:21 PM
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON reviewed slide 5. He reported that the
department let about $500 million in construction contracts
annually. The construction season runs from mid-April to mid-
October. He emphasized that this provides important jobs for the
construction companies and families. Due to COVID-19, his team
sat down with contractors to develop a mitigation plan for urban
and rural communities. He reported that the construction season
went off almost without a hiccup. He acknowledged that several
cases arose, but none jeopardized the program or project
completion. The department will continue to use its protocols,
he said. He highlighted that the department must follow federal
rules for FHWA, which are complicated. He remarked that DOTPF
used to say that a state dollar is worth a dollar and federal
dollar was worth about $.75 due to all the requirements. Mr.
Carpenter talked about unrealized motor fuel receipts which has
created a problem in maintenance. The maintenance operations
were not designed to handle the peak conditions. He reported
that the state has experienced serious weather conditions in
northern Lynn Canal. Further, Turnagain Pass had record snowfall
and icy conditions not seen since the early 80s. These
occurrences put the department behind on road maintenance but
eventually it will catch up, he said.
1:56:39 PM
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON turned to the issue of recruitment and
retention. He characterized this as affecting nearly every
sector of the department. For example, Local 71 supplies M&O
equipment operators, but since their wages are $3-5 per hour
less than the private sector pays, it is not easy to recruit or
retain equipment operators. He highlighted that the department
has aging equipment and it lacks spares. He emphasized that
weather issues, aging equipment, and lack of spares, have
created challenges. For example, the department cannot just buy
equipment on demand since the lead time for a plow truck is
about nine months, he said.
1:58:11 PM
SENATOR SHOWER asked if the department had negotiated any
agreements with other states to share or lease equipment. He
asked if this was a viable option.
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON said he was unsure whether DOTPF can get
equipment from the Lower 48, but it does move equipment between
maintenance stations. He offered to research equipment loans and
report back to the committee.
2:00:11 PM
RYAN ANDERSON, PE; Regional Director, Northern Region,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF),
Fairbanks, Alaska, began a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways for
the Northern Region. He reviewed the statistics on slide 6, such
that the region has 8,450 road lane miles, 90 maintained
airports and 390 bridges. The Northern Region is composed of 8
maintenance districts with 322 fulltime and seasonal staff in
its 37 maintenance stations serving 124 communities, 6 boroughs,
50 city governments, 100 tribal communities and one Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO), he said. The MPO consisted of the
mayors of the City of Fairbanks, the Fairbanks North Star
Borough (FNSB), the City of North Pole, city council and borough
assembly representatives, DOTPF, and Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) members. The department's design and
construction team consisted of 200 fulltime and 70 seasonal
employees that has historically delivered $200-250 million in
construction contracts for the region.
2:01:54 PM
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the Northern Region's overall budget for
the Highways and Aviation M&O funding from FY 2013 to FY 2020
depicted in bar graphs on slide 7. The region uses federal and
state funding sources, he said. Every district has highway and
aviation funding components, he said. The annual expenditures
for the Northern Region in FY 2020 were about $80 million. He
highlighted that the unrestricted general funds (UGF) have
declined significantly. These reductions have been replaced with
other restricted or designated general funds. Deferred
maintenance allocations also declined during this period. The
Northern Region previously had a capital appropriation for heavy
maintenance for the Dalton Highway, which is depicted in the
green bar, he said. However, the use of federal funds has
increased. The specific activities eligible for federal funding
include asphalt repairs, asphalt leveling, resurfacing, crack
sealing, banding, dust management, drainage controls and
striping, but the department cannot use federal funds for snow
removal, routine maintenance such as road grading, or vegetation
clearing, he said.
2:03:53 PM
MR. ANDERSON turned to slide 8 and reviewed some department
innovations. The entire DOTPF team has developed a road priority
system with performance targets for winter storm response time,
he said. Roads are classified from Priority 1 to Priority 4
depending on the average daily traffic counts and various
factors. For example, the target times for Priority 1 roads was
set at 12 hours but the average response time was 10 hours. The
goal for Priority 2 roads was set at 18 hours, but the actual
response time was 26 hours. The region works to use technology
to improve the target times, he said. He directed attention to
the photo on the left of the slide that depicted a device that
allows the operators to obtain information including air
temperature, pavement temperature, and relative humidity. This
technology provides weather, road, and temperature information
to the Northern Region before it sends out crews so it can
allocate its resources, he said. He indicated that the Northern
Region has had success using this technology.
2:06:14 PM
MR. ANDERSON referred to a photo of a tow plow that would allow
one operator to clear more lane miles of roadway, which has been
successful. The department continues to seek innovative
solutions, he said.
2:06:42 PM
MR. ANDERSON discussed the Northern Region's Capital Program on
slide 9. He said the Northern Region anticipates a very healthy
construction season similar to last year. He reported the $225
to $250 million in contracts would span 46 projects in 11
communities, of which 35 were highway projects and 11 were
airport projects. He reported 9.03 percent was for matching
funds and about 6.5 percent for airports. He indicated the
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the
FAA's Airport Improvement Program publications listed these
projects.
2:07:51 PM
CHAIR MYERS asked if the match would flow from the state to the
federal government.
MR. ANDERSON replied that the state highway match was state
funding to match federal dollars.
2:08:24 PM
MR. ANDERSON highlighted that slide 10 listed the Northern
Region's construction projects. These projects are diverse ones,
ranging from airport and road projects in Utqiagvik, Kotzebue,
and Nome to airport projects in Kotlik, Stebbins and highway
projects in Nulato and Shageluk, he said. He noted several
highway projects on the Parks and Richardson Highways. He
directed members to maps on the department's website at:
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/nreg/projects.
2:09:27 PM
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the Fairbanks Area 2021 construction
projects. The Northern Region is focused on improving safety and
asset condition and reducing operating costs, he said. This
includes working on upgrading lighting systems to LEDs for the
past five years, he said. One big project was the 3rd Street and
Steese Highway reconstruction, which will move forward this
summer.
2:10:32 PM
CHAIR MYERS noted Senator Kiehl joined the meeting.
MR. ANDERSON reviewed slide 13 that depicted the Richardson
Highway 2021 projects, just north and south of Glennallen. DOTPF
usually reviews its projects on a corridor basis, he said.
However, concern about trucker traffic transiting Glennallen
headed to Fairbanks caused the department to seek ways to lessen
that impact, he said.
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the Chena Hot Springs Road Improvements on
slide 13. This area is problematic due to drainage, permafrost,
and poor soils so roads in the region typically have a 1015-
year life span, he said. This project will run from the Steese
Highway to Nordale Road.
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the University Avenue Bridge Replacement
on slide 14. This bridge was built in 1963. This project was
part of an ongoing three-year University Avenue widening
project. This project would complete the upgrades to University
Avenue from College Road to Airport Way.
2:13:44 PM
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the Wendell Avenue Bridge Replacement
project on slide 15, noting that this bridge was built in 1953.
It will be demolished and rebuilt and the project should be
completed in the fall, he said.
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the Dalton Highway MP [Milepost] 36-414
Paving Project on slide 16. He highlighted that the Northern
Region M&O crew has struggled to maintain this road due to the
aggregate materials. This project would include an insulated
embankment, reduce M&O grading work, and consist of single lane
traffic using pilot cars. It should be completed this fall, he
said.
MR. ANDERSON turned to a photo of the Dalton Highway Drill Rig
Move on slide 17. He characterized this project as a big
success.
2:16:25 PM
CHAIR MYERS asked how that drill rig move impacted the
department financially and if oil companies covered the costs.
MR. ANDERSON answered that the oil companies covered all costs
and provided all the engineering work. The department required
bonding and acted as the approval agency, he said.
2:17:09 PM
WOLFGANG JUNGE, PE, Regional Director, Central Region,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF),
Anchorage, Alaska, began a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways for
the Central Region by reviewing a map on slide 18. He said the
Central Region is comprised of the state's most urban areas,
Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Kenai and 80 Western and Southwest Alaska
rural communities. It is also the most populous region with over
290,000 in Anchorage, 100,000 in Mat-Su, 55,000 in Kenai, and
over 15,000 in rural Alaska, he said. The Central Region has a
robust aviation network, including the Ted Stevens International
Airport and a network of hubs in Bethel, Dillingham, and Homer.
In addition, over 69 airports serve the rural communities, he
said. The Central Region owns and operates the longest tunnel in
North America, the Anton Anderson Memorial (Whittier) tunnel.
This tunnel consists of a 2.5-mile road and rail tunnel that
connects Whittier to the National Highway System (NHS), he said.
2:18:33 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed the Central Region operating budget on slide
19. He said M&O is largely funded with state general fund
monies. The significant drop in funding levels in FY 2015-2016
was a reflection of the regional boundary shift. That change
included reallocating federal funds from the U.S. Air Force to
the Southcoast Region to keep the King Salmon airport
operational for use as a diversion airport.
MR. JUNGE reported that the Central Region's funding was derived
from taxes, including the aviation fuel tax, motor fuel tax,
motor rental tax, and program receipts from preventative
maintenance programs. He reported that the Whitter Tunnel
obtained its funding through the State Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP), which is funded by the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) and the receipt authority for toll
collection. The tunnel was converted to a multi-use rail and
road tunnel 20 years ago. He stated that expenditures to keep it
certified have increased annually. Due to COVID-19, the tunnel
has experienced much lower toll receipts. Design & Construction
operating budgets are largely funded by federal funds through
the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and indirect cost
allocation plan funds/overhead rates charged to each of the
federally funded projects. Each division receives a small amount
of general funds to cover costs not permittable under the permit
program and the Indirect Cost Allocation Program, he said.
2:20:30 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed the Central Region Capital Budget on slide
20. He reported the overall 2020 construction program received
over $196 million in construction payments. The FY 2021
anticipated funding of $460 million will fund 40 construction
projects either awarded or going out for bid across all modes,
including highway and aviation, he said. The M&O's budget
includes over $7 million for preventative maintenance on its
highway and airport infrastructure, he said. The state highway
match funds at 9.03 percent were required to receive federal
funds. However, the 6.25 percent Airport Match was waived by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Central Region
anticipated receiving $340 million for the State Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP).
MR. JUNGE said the Central Region anticipated receiving $120
million for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), $6.8 million
for AIP Preventative Maintenance and $13 million for the 2021
FHWA Preventative Maintenance Program. He highlighted that
preventative maintenance actions were limited to preapproved
tasks and locations as authorized by the federal funding
partners.
2:22:13 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed Maintenance Innovations and accomplishments
on slide 21:
Innovations:
Increased Brine Use in Kenai and Anchorage
Week On/Week Off Schedules in Bethel
20 Hour Coverage on Seward Highway
Birchwood Now Seasonally Staffed
MR. JUNGE said brine use on highways increases highway safety.
The Bethel rotation schedule also helped the department fill
positions in Bethel, which is critical to keeping airports open.
The Central Region worked to improve the Turnagain Pass, which
has helped improve the department's response time and prevented
highway closures despite snow levels. The existing Birchwood
Airport Maintenance Facility staffing has resulted in better
service to the Glenn Highway north of Eagle River.
MR. JUNGE reviewed the accomplishments on slide 21:
Accomplishments:
Knik Goose Bay Road Paving
Bridge Access Paving
Glenn Highway MP 115 (partnership w/Northern Region
M&O)
Skilak Lake Road Drainage & Surface Repairs
MR. JUNGE reported that the Knik Goose Bay Road Paving project
completed last summer repaved 8 miles of rutted roadway to
improve safety in advance of a larger reconstruction project
that will be bid out later this year. The Bridge Access Road on
the Kenai was paved using [the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security] CARES Act funding to eliminate rutting and
increase safety. The Glenn Highway MP 115 north of Palmer is
challenging due to poor subsurface conditions including
permafrost and poor drainage, he said. Thus, the Central Region
partnered with the Northern Region to mill, level, and chip seal
the road. He explained the Skilak Lake Road Drainage & Surface
Repairs project, which connected 4.5 miles of surface and
drainage repairs along the recreational access road adjacent to
the Sterling Highway. This road provided a critical link during
the 2018 Swan Lake fires and serves as a detour route.
2:25:11 PM
CHAIR MYERS asked if the department has evaluated the brine
usage and how it would affect vehicles.
MR. JUNGE offered to report back to the committee.
2:25:56 PM
MR. JUNGE recapped the Central Region Construction on slide 22.
The 153 Central Region staff are responsible for all highway and
aviation projects, he said. In an average year, the construction
section will oversee 40 to 50 projects in urban and rural
settings with consultants providing administration on about 40
percent of its projects, he said. DOT&PF's goal is to minimize
construction impacts to the traveling public while delivering
much needed capital improvements to the transportation
infrastructure, he said. He reiterated that the Central Region
anticipated a construction budget of over $400 million for
highway and aviation projects over several seasons. These
projects included highway safety improvements, pavement
preservations, earthquake repairs, road rehabilitations and road
reconstruction projects. The Anchorage Metropolitan Area
Planning Organization (AMATS), a coalition between the state and
the Municipality of Anchorage, oversees all federal projects, he
said.
MR. JUNGE reviewed the 2021 Anchorage Central Region
Construction projects listed on slide 22. The FHWA required
DOTPF to have a Municipal Planning Organization (MPO). The
Anchorage MPO will oversee 14 federally-funded construction
projects this season, with the largest project being the
O'Malley Road Reconstruction Phase II estimated at $30 million,
he said.
2:28:12 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked if the project would include a bike path.
MR. JUNGE answered yes.
2:28:39 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed the 2021 Kenai Peninsula Construction
projects. He indicated the Central Region has five major
projects, including that the Sterling Highway Milepost (MP) 45
to 60 near Cooper Landing. He anticipated the total costs of
this project at nearly $500 million, scheduled to be completed
in 2025. This year work will focus on the western end of the
alignment and on the new alignment that was cleared last year,
he said. In addition, work will begin on the Seward Highway MP
17-22.5 Rehabilitation Project, he said.
2:29:17 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed the Mat-Su's 2021 Construction projects on
slide 24. He said the Mat-Su has 15 construction projects this
year, with the largest project as the Parks Highway Phase III
project from Pittman Road to Big Lake Road. He predicted that
due to the Mat-Su Valley's population increase, the Mat-Su would
likely qualify for an MPO, consisting of the Mat-Su Borough
(MSB), the City of Wasilla and the City of Palmer. Until the MPO
is officially named, DOTPF refers to it as MMATS, he said. DOTPF
has provided the MSB with $100,000 for its planning efforts.
2:30:40 PM
SENATOR SHOWER pointed out that the Bogart Road and Engstrom
Road roundabout was not on the list. However, this project has
consistently been a priority for the Mat-Su legislators. He
characterized this as a dangerous intersection and asked for the
status of the project.
MR. JUNGE answered that the Central Region estimated the project
would be included in the 2023 or 2024 construction projects. He
characterized this project as a challenging one. First, the area
has historic farms surrounding the area so environmental
clearances would be needed. Secondly, relocation of one of the
fire stations would require right-of-way acquisitions. He
assured Senator Shower that the Central Region has been working
with the MSB to move this important project forward.
2:32:42 PM
SENATOR SHOWER remarked that the Bogart Road roundabout was
safety related. He emphasized that the MSB continued to be the
fastest growing areas in the state. In fact, the MSB's
population now exceeds Fairbanks, he said. He stressed the need
to mitigate road traffic and manage growth in the Mat-Su Valley.
MR. JUNGE offered his view that the new MPO would help since it
will provide dedicated funding to be used within the MPO. He
reported that he meets with the MSB manager monthly. He remarked
he has heard anecdotally that the MSB Assembly was considering
putting the issue of becoming a first-class borough on the
ballot. He said DOTPF will open a district office in the Mat-Su,
which he thought would help facilitate Mat-Su projects.
2:35:11 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed several projects on slides 25-29. The Seward
Highway MP 75-90 project would replace the remaining five
bridges constructed shortly after the 1964 Earthquake. He
described the degradation of the road and bridges. This project
would also remove some curves and add pedestrian accommodations.
This project would widen the highway, add turning and passing
lanes, improve geometry and replace five bridges. The project
will start this spring and take two summers to complete, he
said. He estimated the planning costs at $80-90 million. Part of
the project will include a pavement overlay along the Portage
curve to remediate the issues until the full project can be
built, he said.
MR. JUNGE reviewed the Sterling Highway Project MP 45-60. In
2019, this longstanding project reached a final environmental
study. The department plans to begin construction this summer
from Skilak Lake Road to MP 56, he said. He pointed out the
Central Region planned to use innovative contracting methods on
most of the project phases to leverage local contractors to get
this out more quickly. He characterized it as one of the largest
transportation projects in the state.
2:37:40 PM
MR. JUNGE reviewed the Knik Goose Bay Road Reconstruction
Project. When a two-lane road exceeds 10,000 cars per day it
breaks, he said. This road is the number one priority for the
Central Region and will consist of widening the road to a
divided four lane road, he said. He reported that the final
details to relocate utilities neared completion. The Central
Region has begun negotiations on right-of-way acquisition with
several property owners. The Central Region also included an
acquisition incentive program to encourage property owners to
sign within the first 90 days of the project. He anticipated the
overall cost of the project would be $150 million. Utility
relocations should be completed over the winter and the first
phase should be bid later this year. The construction will begin
in the 2022 construction season, he said.
2:39:16 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked him to elaborate on the incentive program.
MR. JUNGE responded that DOTPF was allowed to coordinate with
its federal funding partners on projects of high importance. The
Knik Goose Bay Road was designated as a safety corridor due to
its significant traffic. The department has the option to offer
additional incentives above and beyond the fair market value to
the property owners to accelerate the acquisition process, he
said. DOTPF can offer up to a 20 percent increase in the offer,
he said. A property owner must sign within 90 days or the offer
will be retracted, he said.
2:40:44 PM
SENATOR KIEHL expressed an interest in discussing this further
outside the committee to better understand any past experiences
and anticipated cost savings.
MR. JUNGE elaborated that the Central Region used the incentive
program in the Glenn Highway MP 34-42 Phase I project located by
the fairgrounds. He reported that of the 40-50 parcels, only one
owner declined and the department moved forward with eminent
domain. He characterized the incentive program as a huge
success. He explained that costs are evaluated but differed per
project. He offered his belief that the Glenn Highway
acquisition costs were $5 million of the $50 million project.
This program avoids attorneys and litigation, which is to the
benefit of both parties, he said.
2:42:12 PM
SENATOR SHOWER asked if each property owner is informed of the
incentive and asked for a status report on the project.
MR. JUNGE agreed everyone receives the same incentive program
offer.
MR. JUNGE explained that the first phase would range from Main
Street to Fairview Loop and Phase II would cover the stretch
from Fairview Loop to Settlers Bay.
2:43:51 PM
LANCE MEARIG, PE, Regional Director, Southcoast Region,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF),
Juneau, Alaska, began a PowerPoint on Roads and Highways for the
Southcoast Region. He stated this region would span from Florida
to San Diego if the sate were superimposed on a map of the Lower
48. The region has substantial coastline. The Southcoast Region
consists of 20 maintenance stations, 44 maintained airports, 17
seaplane bases, 15 harbors, 96 communities, 12 boroughs, 52 city
governments and 60 tribes.
2:45:35 PM
MR. MEARIG reviewed the Southcoast Region's Operating Budget on
slide 29, which depicted bar graphs from FY 2013 to FY 2020. He
reiterated earlier comments that the significant increase from
FY 2015-2016 was due to DOTPF's reorganization. The Southeast
region became the Southcoast Region, absorbing the Kodiak-
Aleutians District and Southeast Alaska District, he said. Thus,
the Southcoast Region's budget increased by $23 million.
2:46:25 PM
MR. MEARIG reviewed the Southcoast Region Capital Budget on
slide 30. Typically, the Southcoast Region's federal funding
consisted of $80 million in federal funding. However, the
Southcoast Region has recently experienced record construction
seasons. He anticipated another strong year this year with
projected contract values ranging from $140 to $175 million for
30 projects in 12 communities. He reported that the region has
26 highway projects and 4 airport projects. He reported the
state match was the same as for other regions.
2:47:23 PM
MR. MEARIG reviewed the winter storm response on slide 31. He
said DOTPF manages its roads on a priority basis. He reported
the region had 123 events and met its targets 63 percent of the
time. The Southcoast Region has done well on response time for
Priority 1 and 2 roads, but not so well on Priority 3 and 4
roads. He reported that the Southcoast Region experienced
tremendous snow at high elevations. An avalanche closed the
Klondike Highway nearly every week in December and January. In
fact, one massive avalanche reached a depth of 20 feet. The
Southcoast Region moved some equipment via AMHS system whenever
possible. For example, the Southcoast Region moved equipment
from Juneau to Haines to help respond to the storm and
landslides in late November and early December. Typically, the
Southcoast Region works with what it has in each maintenance
community and station, he said.
2:49:05 PM
MR. MEARIG reviewed slide 32, Southcoast Region Construction
Projects. This slide lists the upcoming construction projects
from FY 2021 to FY 2022 and is available on the department's
website, he said.
2:50:05 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said he appreciated DOTPF's responsiveness and
flexibility to the early December storm. He characterized it as
impressive. He asked him to discuss the bigger repairs required
because of the storm.
MR. MEARIG answered that the Southcoast Region was still
assessing the damage. The region received an extension from FHWA
for those corridors and can use FHWA's emergency relief funding
well into the summer. This funding is only available for use on
major collector and above classifications of roadway, he said.
This would cover basically the Haines highway from the ferry
terminal to the Canadian border, but nothing else in Haines. To
respond in case Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
funding becomes available on the minor roads, the Southcoast
Region has worked quickly to provide an initial damage
assessment. He estimated the region would need about $13 million
in funding for repair work on minor roads, which he hoped FEMA
would cover. He advised that the Southcoast Region cannot manage
within its current budget. However, planning is ongoing and work
will be done as funding becomes available and as weather allows
this spring, he said.
2:53:16 PM
MR. MEARIG highlighted projects on slides 33-35, beginning with
the Haines Highway reconstruction MP 12-20. He described the
prior project phases on the Haines Highway, including pavement
rehabilitation from Haines to 3 mile and major construction on
MP 3-12. Some project work was done last fall, but the major
portion will resume this spring and finish in the fall 2022, he
said. He cautioned that potential traffic delays of up to 20
minutes and full road closures for bridge work would occur. He
said another project phase for MP 20-22 and potentially from MP
23 to the border will be needed He highlighted that the current
focus has been on repairs from the airport to MP 23.
MR. MEARIG reviewed the Katlian Bay Road project on slide 34. He
explained that this GO [General Obligation] bond project began
in 2019. He reported that the project was 35 percent complete.
This included 7 miles of new road construction past Stargavin
and the ferry terminal on Halibut Point Road in Sitka. The
rugged terrain has made construction difficult. Thus, he
anticipated the project would be completed in 2023.
MR. MEARIG reviewed the Mendenhall Loop Road Capacity
Improvements on slide 35. This project involved two roundabouts
at Stephen Richards Memorial Drive and the intersection to the
Floyd Dryden Middle School. He reported that both roundabouts
are operational with some clean up work needed. He commented
that due to the pandemic and few visitors, the crews were able
to finish this two-season project in one season. DOTPF worked
with public and local officials to enable the contractor to
complete both roundabouts last summer.
2:57:34 PM
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON turned to the contact information for the
three regional directors on slide 36.
2:58:28 PM
SENATOR SHOWER asked for the total COVID-19 funding. He asked if
DOTPF has made any effort to purge any buildings as a means of
cost savings.
2:59:24 PM
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON answered that DOTPF needs statutory
changes to make it easier to dispose of facilities. Most of the
facilities were armories in rural Alaska. However, the
department is hoping to do so.
2:59:52 PM
MR. CARPENTER reported on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and
Economic Security (CARES) Act funding of $111 million from the
Federal Transit Administration the Federal Aviation
Administration. He stated that the majority of the Coronavirus
Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021
(CRRSA) funding in the amount of $124 million from Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) and $55 million from Federal
Transportation Administration has yet to be allocated out.
3:00:59 PM
CHAIR MYERS asked what would happen if DOTPF's response time
goals for filling potholes or clearing roads were not met. He
related his understanding that some things such as weather were
factors not in the department's control.
MR. CARPENTER deferred to the regional directors for specific
responses. He said the department is not fined but the regions
strive to improve on their response times. He indicated that the
public provides the department with feedback through complaints.
3:02:41 PM
COMMISSIONER MACKINNON said the department reviews its response
times when it consistently fails to meet them to see if the
goals were realistically set. He emphasized that highway safety
was one of the department's highest priorities. DOTPF continues
to make road improvements to make highways safer, but it cannot
control driver behavior, he said.
3:04:17 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Myers adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 3:04 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DOT Roads & Highways Presentation 2.16.pdf |
STRA 2/16/2021 1:30:00 PM |