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Project Description

 

HISTORY OF PROJECT...

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities began the project in the fall of 2002 to answer the question:

"How do we provide an east/west road connection along the Dowling Road corridor from the Old Seward Highway west to Minnesota Drive?"

Why Dowling Road?

The purpose of the project is to relieve traffic congestion on nearby arterial roads and improve access to Anchorage International Airport. The proposed extension will provide east/west traffic flow, reduce traffic on Tudor Road and help to implement the goal of developing a more connected roadway pattern as identified in the Anchorage Long-range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP has identified this project as one of the top three projects to complete and anticipates the roadway will be a minimum of four lanes wide.

Reasons for the project include...

  • Relieving traffic congestion on nearby arterial roads.
  • Improving cross town access.
  • Providing east/west traffic flow.
  • Reducing traffic on Tudor Road.

The Anchorage Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) has identified an extension of West Dowling Road as one of the top three projects for the city. The project will help to implement the goal of developing a more connected roadway pattern.

Issues to Address Include...

  • Impacts to residential and Industrial areas.
  • Local circulation for neighborhood and industrial traffic.
  • Tina Lake
  • Crossing Campbell Creek
  • Coordination with the Railroad
  • Coordination with the Municipality of Anchorage and the Rovenna St. Extension project.
  • Access and connectivity for emergency services, freight, transit, and school buses.
  • Pedestrian and bicycle connections and improvements.

SCHEDULE: (will be updated)

Schedule & Process Steps

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT...

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities recently released the Environmental Assessment for public review and comment.  Public copies of the EA are available at the Z.J. Loussac Public Library or online.  The EA is an overview of the key issues determined during the Scoping period of this project.  These issues focus on the following:

  • Tina Lake wetlands
  • Campbell Creek bridge
  • Right-of-way (ROW) impacts
  • Contaminated sites
  • Impacts to recreation resources
The EA also evaluates the potential impacts of project alternatives on the physical, biological, and human resources in the area. If significant impacts are identified in this EA, a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be required. FHWA will make this determination after the comment period expires on January 31, 2007.  If the impacts will not be significant, FHWA would prepare and sign a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This finding will allow DOT&PF to move forward with the Proposed Action.

Environmental Assessment Document ... Posted 12/2006

NEXT STEPS...

The Environmental Assessment is currently available at the Z.J. Loussac Public Library and online.  The Appendices are available by contacting the project team with your request.  The public comment deadline for the EA was January 31, 2007.  You may provide a comment on line or download the comment form and send it in. 

We hope you will be able to join us.  The public participation is valuable to the project development and to the team. 

Based on feedback about the Environmental Assessment the revision, if necessary, will be conducted this winter and early spring.  The goal is to have a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) by Spring 2007. 

Check out the Proposed Actions.

 

 

 

 

 

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