State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway Interchange
Z607320000
Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment / Online Open House
& Notice of Opportunity for Public Hearing
This public notice is to inform the public that the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) document for the Steese/Johansen Interchange project is available for review, inform the public of an upcoming online open house, as well as to afford the public the opportunity to request a public hearing.
The Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway Interchange project consists of reconstructing the intersection of the Steese Expressway with the Johansen Expressway, including adjacent access. The project includes bridge work, roadside signage and lighting, drainage improvements, ADA improvements and utilities. The project aims to address operational and safety concerns including pedestrian and bicycle safety, pedestrian delay, vehicle delay, and the proximity of Farmers Loop Road. Three build alternatives as well as the no build alternative were evaluated in the EA. The Diverging Diamond Interchange with Farmers Loop Connection is the preferred build alternative (a more detailed project figure can be found at the web link below).
The Preferred Alternative consists of constructing a Diverging Diamond Interchange at the Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway intersection. It will also construct a Farmers Loop Road Connection from Farmers Loop to Northside Boulevard, partially utilizing the existing Farmers Loop Road Extension. The existing separated pathway along the Steese Expressway between the Johansen Expressway and Farmers Loop will be relocated to the new Farmers Loop Connection to enhance safety and connectivity of bicycle facilities in the project area. Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition and noise walls are required for all alternatives evaluated. Details are available at the project website.
The online open house is available on the Alaska DOT&PF project website (http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/steese-johansen/). Public comments will be accepted until October 31. A public comment survey is also available on the project website until October 31. Comments can be submitted using the public comment survey link found on the project website, by email to lauren.little@alaska.gov, by mail to address below, or by calling the Project Manager at (907) 451-5371.
The draft EA, maps showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the project are on file and available for inspection at http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/steese-johansen/ and at the Alaska DOT&PF office: 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709. It will also be available upon request and at the Noel Wien Public Library and North Pole Branch Library. The public comment period for the draft EA is September 22 to October 31. Any comments on the draft EA can be submitted using the public comment survey link found on the project website, by email to lauren.little@alaska.gov, by mail to address below, or by calling the Project Manager at (907) 451-5371.
Any interested person may request a public hearing for the purpose of considering the economic, social, and environmental effects of the project and its consistency with the goals and objectives of such urban planning as has been carried out by the community. If you have general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or the opportunity for the public hearing, contact the Steese/Johansen Project Manager, Lauren Little, P.E., at (907) 451-5371. Requests for a public hearing must be submitted in writing to:
Alaska DOT&PF Northern Region
Lauren Little, P.E, Project Manager
2301 Peger Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
All public comments received will be recorded, transcribed, become a part of the public record, and may be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this proposed project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2017 and executed by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and DOT&PF.
This action complies with: Executive Order (EO) 11593, Protection and Enhancement of Cultural Environment; EO 11988, Floodplain Management; EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands; EO 12898, Environmental Justice; and EO 13112, Invasive Species.
The Alaska DOT&PF operates without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability regardless of the funding source, including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and state funds. Full Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml. To file a complaint go to: dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/titlevi.shtml.
Past Project Notices:
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=147668
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=169735
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=187225
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=190225
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=192214