Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
01/26/2023 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Department of Transportation and Public Facilities | |
| 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
January 26, 2023
1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator James Kaufman, Chair
Senator David Wilson, Vice Chair
Senator Löki Tobin
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
RYAN ANDERSON, Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities Department overview and answered questions.
KATHERINE KEITH, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities Department overview and answered questions.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:32:08 PM
CHAIR JAMES KAUFMAN called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Myers, Kiehl, Tobin, Wilson and Chair
Kaufman.
At ease from 1:33:05 p.m. to 1:33:40 p.m.
CHAIR KAUFMAN reconvened the meeting and continued with
introduction of support staff.
^OVERVIEW: Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC FACILITIES
1:34:07 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN introduced Commissioner Anderson and Deputy
Commissioner Keith and invited them to begin the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) overview.
1:36:38 PM
RYAN ANDERSON, Commissioner, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF), Juneau, Alaska, presented a
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Department
Overview and answered questions. He introduced Deputy
Commissioner Keith. He surmised that the overview might
stimulate questions and follow-up presentations.
1:38:33 PM
RYAN ANDERSON, Commissioner, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF), Juneau, Alaska, presented the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities overview. He
started with slide 2, DOTPF Organization. He spoke about the
deputy commissioner, regional directors and legislative
communications. He mentioned the four boards sponsored by the
commissioner including the Alaska Marine Highway Operations
Board, the Aviation Advisory Board, the Roads and Highways
Advisory Board and the Executive Facilities Management Advisory
Committee.
1:39:49 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON continued with slide 3, Mission: Keep
Alaska Moving. The focus is on safety and efficiency as they
relate to transportation. The department's core values are
integrity, excellence, respect and safety. He highlighted the
defining statute:
DOT&PF oversees a network of highways that link together
cities and communities throughout the state, thereby
contributing to the development of commerce and industry in
the state, and that aids in the extraction and development
of its resources, and improves the economic and general
welfare of the people of the state (AS 19.05.125)
1:40:58 PM
KATHERINE KEITH, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF), Anchorage, Alaska,
informed the committee about her certifications and professional
history. She moved to slide 4, Alaska's Transportation System.
She proclaimed that Alaska's environment created challenges for
the transportation system. She noted that Alaska has 586 square
miles, which is larger than Texas, Montana and California
combined. She spoke to each region's individual challenges. She
highlighted the map and the red maintenance and operation (M&O)
stations that keep airports and highways open regardless of
weather conditions. Airports serve over 80 percent of Alaskan
communities. She expressed pride in the Alaska Marine Highway
System.
1:43:26 PM
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 5, Alaska's DOT&PF Infrastructure,
and stated that the department must provide safe and equitable
transportation regardless of the environmental challenges or
workplace shortages. She highlighted that the measurement
standards division inspected over seven thousand pieces of
equipment. She added that the department owned three tunnels and
operated four.
1:44:54 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON advanced to slide 6, DOT&PF Budgets &
Funding. He pointed to past successes within the department. In
FY 22 the department produced over $933 million in conjunction
with the private sector. This funding went toward road
maintenance and new infrastructure. He pointed out strategies
that allow for federal funding that other states were missing.
He noted the operating budget of $438 million and capital budget
of $1.4 billion. The department's capital budget is healthy and
obtainable.
1:47:12 PM
MS. KEITH continued the department overview with attention to
the budget. She mentioned the discretionary grants awarded to
the department. She reported that applications for approximately
$500 million in grants for the Alaska Marine Highway System were
awaiting review. She mentioned the successful award of a $285
million grant to build new vessels and rebuild terminals and
docks. She spoke about the success obtaining $28 million from
the United States Maritime Administration through their Port
Infrastructure Development Program.
1:48:18 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN directed attention to slide 7, Our Team. He
recalled challenges understanding the department's
organizational structure. He asked more about the team's
organization.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON explained that the department spans Alaska
and is divided into three regions. The department employes over
three thousand people. He spoke about the various regions and
the division oversight. The various teams are outlined in slide
7. He pointed to the statewide equipment fleet that served all
agencies across the state. The Division of Facilities Services D
worked with other agencies around Alaska. The structure was
largely related to transportation, but public facilities fell
under the department as well.
1:52:23 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON reviewed DOTPF's five priority investment
areas for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
funds. He spoke about slide 8: Strategic Investment Areas.
SAFETY
ECONOMIC VITALITY
STATE OF GOOD REPAIR (SOGR)
RESILIENCY
SUSTAINABILITY
1:54:58 PM
MS. KEITH reviewed slide 9, Organizational Excellence:
WORKFORCE
COMMUNICATION
CULTURE
INNOVATION
INFORMATION
RESOURCING
PROJECT DELIVERY
MS. KEITH spoke about trust and team building. She spoke to the
improvement of the onboarding program. She noted that dashboards
and cloud-based project portals ensured transparent
communications. The commissioner is the leader of the workforce
action team.
1:58:43 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON expounded on his role leading the
workforce action team. Employees are gathered from all sections
of DOTPF to collect opinions about workforce development. The
opinions were unique and valuable to the planning processes. He
mentioned airport employment incentives known as mission
critical incentive pay. The team observed various incentives
including scheduling or salary optimization.
2:01:29 PM
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 10, Services to Alaskans."
• Safety Corridors
• West Coast Alaska Storm Response
• Winter Maintenance
• Community-Driven Planning
• AMHS Reliability
2:03:06 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON advanced to slide 11, Safety Corridors.
Last year Alaska had 81 highway fatalities, one of the highest
number of fatalities in years. He spoke about the concerns and
strategies to mitigate fatality rates. He talked about
establishing safety corridors. The slide depicted a graph of
crash rates. Legislation implemented in 2006 allows for safety
corridors, which impact serious crash rates.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON advanced to slide 12, Safety Corridors:
Next Steps. He pointed to solutions included engineering,
enforcement, education and emergency response. The safety
corridors transition two-lane into four-lane highways to address
increases in traffic volumes.
Solutions: Engineering, Enforcement,
Education, Emergency Response
Engineering Solutions
• Seward Highway, Potter Marsh to Girdwood
• Parks Highway, Wasilla to Houston
• Sterling Highway, Sterling to Soldotna
• Knik-Goose Bay Road, Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Point
MacKenzie Road
Education Campaigns
Enforcement Campaigns
• Bureau of Highway Patrol
Emergency Response Support
• Glenn Highway Integrated Corridor Management
2:08:29 PM
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 13, West Coast Alaska Storm
Response: Next Steps.
Risks: Safety, Resiliency
Challenges
• Multiple day storm Sept. 16-19
• Impacts over hundreds of miles
• High winds, strong coastal wave, storm surge, floods
Norton Sound sea level rise of 8-18 ft.
• Over 50 miles of fed-aid highway damaged
Solutions
• Local DOT&PF maintenance took early actions to
reopen runways
• Emergency Declarations completed quickly
• Emergency Procurements prioritized
• Contractors, Communities, & DOT&PF staff teamed up
to repair infrastructure
• Partnerships with DMVA, DEC, FAA, ANTHC, FEMA, FHWA,
Local Governments & more
2:10:48 PM
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 14, West Coast Alaska Storm
Response: Next Steps. She spoke about mindset shifts following
the surveys. She noted that the department provides assessments
in in 36 damaged communities. The information was gathered
before the snow fell to allow time to establish eligibility for
emergency repairs. She stressed that the damage across the
communities was significant and only a portion of the emergency
repairs were completed. The department provided incident command
system response training to staff.
2:13:00 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON reviewed slide 15, Winter Maintenance. He
explained the challenges:
• Increasing frequency of extreme events
• Vacancies, shortage of qualified workers
• Supply chain challenges
• Constrained resources
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON continued with slide 16, Winter
Maintenance: Next Steps.
Solutions: Partnering, Workforce
Development; Recruitment Retention,
Flexibility / Scalability
Partnering
• Local Government coordination
• Leveraging DOT&PF resources statewide
Workforce Development
• Incident Command System training
• CDL, Equipment Operators
Recruitment Retention
• Flexible work schedules 1X1 & 2X2
• Mission Critical Incentive Pay
Flexibility/Scalability
• Use of contracts for emergency response
• Use of contracts or local government agreements
to meet basic level of service
2:17:59 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON advanced to slide 17, Community-Driven
Planning.
Risks: Safety, State of Good Repair,
Economic Vitality, Resiliency
Challenges:
• Alaska has many rural, unorganized areas
• Alaska is multi-modal, funding is not
• Geographical expanse of planning areas are
largest in the nation
• Alaskan communities are unique in their
Transportation needs.
2:20:11 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON advanced to slide 18, Community-Driven
Planning: Next Steps. He spoke to the value of Rural Planning
Organizations (RPO). The organizations serve as a transportation
policy board for various regions. Agreements were established
with the Northwest Arctic Borough, the Fairbanks North Star
Borough, the Copper Valley Development Association and the
Bristol Bay Borough.
2:21:50 PM
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 19, AMHS Reliability.
Risks: Safety, State of Good Repair, Economic Vitality
Aging vessels more expensive, longer in shipyard, impacting
schedule and budgets.
Challenges
• Unexpected delays for travelling public
• Overhaul timeframes increase
• Overhaul expense increasing
• Essential service to coastal communities is reduced
with due to ship availability reductions
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 20, "AMHS Reliability: Next Steps.
Solutions: Capital investment; IIJA; Discretionary Grants
• Charting the Course Initiative
• Operational Audit
• Review of maintenance and overhaul practices
• Leverage younger ships in the fleet
• Pursue capital program for vessel replacement via
IIJA funding, discretionary grants
2:24:37 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON announced the completion of the overview.
2:26:17 PM
SENATOR KIEHL directed attention to slide 8 and asked the
commissioner to expound on resiliency planning. He asked about
the Haines Highway Project.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON answered that the first part of resiliency
planning involves data collection related to flood levels and
storm events. He recalled ice events that affected the Dalton
Highway. The department addressed the issue with data collection
via surveys and hydrologist consultations. The rebuilt Dalton
Highway was the geographic feature in the area. The Haines
Highway required a historical review prior to a new design.
Sometimes costs weighed into planning and implementation. He
spoke to the federal concept of twice-hit assets where emergency
funds were used for repair. Those assets were liable to federal
requirements.
SENATOR KIEHL asked if weather data was also consulted.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON acknowledged the importance of weather
data.
2:29:27 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN mentioned that hydrographic weather may involve
flooding. The weather data may be too broad for Alaskan
forecasting.
2:29:38 PM
SENATOR WILSON directed attention to slide 12 and asked about
safety corridors. He spoke about two safety corridors in the
Mat-Su valley. He wondered if other safety corridors were
planned for the state.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON answered that the department was able to
decommission the safety corridor through Wasilla. The focus of
safety corridors spurred community conversations and safety
initiatives. He highlighted the issue of pedestrian fatality
rates.
2:32:08 PM
SENATOR WILSON pointed to road expansion from two to four lanes.
He asked about a four-lane highway from Fairbanks to Homer.
2:32:32 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON responded about the Parks Highway had
passing lanes, which ultimately lead to four-lane highways. He
noted the expense involved in this type of project. The state is
large, and funding drives the projects.
2:33:29 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN referred to slide 3. He commented on core values
and the term "network of highways." He asked if the terminology
was literal. He wondered if "transportation network" might
provide more inclusive terminology. He followed with a comment
about organizational structure and the management of the
department. He suggested an interface with municipalities,
stakeholders and the federal government.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON appreciated the ideas and comments. He
noted that James Marks from the Division of Program Development
oversaw the federal funding programs.
2:35:22 PM
SENATOR TOBIN commented on the department's leadership. She
asked the department's perspective on land use planning.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON answered that it all begins with planning,
but building was part of the balance. He spoke to the value of
creative thinking and acknowledged the challenges Fairview
faced.
2:37:54 PM
SENATOR TOBIN commented about safety as a priority.
SENATOR MYERS expressed concern about the reallocation of
federal funds. He perceived a use-it-or-lose-it mindset. He
asked whether the commissioner plans to mitigate the urgency to
spend.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON said he believed that the upcoming federal
funding presentation would best address these concerns. Project
prioritization is an important component of the issue.
Reallocated funds are used for prioritized projects that might
see advancement in projected timelines.
SENATOR MYERS asked if the department offers an award system.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON answered the department has an employee
recognition program. The employee-sponsored program is a long-
term success. Each division selects award nominees, and an
employee of the year is selected for the department.
2:41:58 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked about staffing issues across the department.
He focused on the front lines rather than the engineering staff.
He asked if the state competed with private sector compensation.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON replied that the workforce team evaluation
led to better understanding of the problem. He spoke about a
system created to reach out to various districts for the
relevant vacancy information.
2:45:09 PM
MS. KEITH spoke about the Alaska Marine Highway System vacancy
rate. She stated that the vacancy rate compromised reliability.
The department sought to attract the workforce with state
benefits. The base pay may not be comparable to out-of-state
workers, but the benefit package added to the incentive. She
mentioned recruitment bonuses of $5 thousand. She spoke about
various training opportunities and paid travel. She commented on
the priority of work-life balance.
2:47:13 PM
SENATOR WILSON mentioned the Alaska Railroad Corporation. He
recalled mention of the right-of-way usage of the railroad. He
asked if the legislature might help the department navigate
solutions.
2:48:45 PM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON responded that state funds allowing the
advanced purchase of right-of-way would help accelerate project
delivery. He spoke about a capital appropriation for event
funding that allows for larger projects and increased levels of
service for communities. He added that state funding allows
flexibility. Federal funds come with many rules associated.
2:50:52 PM
SENATOR WILSON commented on the commissioner's seat on the
Alaska Railroad Corporation. He proposed the separation of the
public corporation to a land-bank usage of the railroad.
2:51:16 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN stated that he would like to see future committee
discussions about the topic.
CHAIR KAUFMAN wondered if he randomly asked a DOTPF employee
about the quality improvement plan, would they know what he was
talking about.
MS. KEITH answered that it is unlikely. The department is vast
and communication teams strive to share the message about these
improvement plans. She mentioned a successful participation
program. She pointed out the department's Strategic Internal
Organizational Excellence Plan.
CHAIR KAUFMAN asked who owns and is responsible for deployment
of the improvement plan.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON replied that is the responsibility of the
commissioner.
2:56:28 PM
SENATOR TOBIN asked about deferred maintenance projects.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON responded that deferred maintenance
projects were abundant. He recognized the priorities and
strategies related to state and federal funding.
2:58:40 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kaufman adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 2:58 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DOTPF Organization Overview 1.25.23.pdf |
STRA 1/26/2023 1:30:00 PM |