Notice of Intent to Begin Engineering and Environmental Studies
Old Steese Highway Reconstruction Project
 State/Federal Project Number Z624870000/0672005

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is soliciting comments on the Old Steese Highway Reconstruction project. DOT&PF proposes to improve the Old Steese Highway between the 3^rd Street and Johansen Expressway intersections. The project has been broken into two segments called “stages”. The two stages will be constructed at the same time under one construction project:

Stage 1 – reconstruct the Old Steese Highway between the Kutter Rd and Johansen Expressway intersections. Improvements include:

• Adding one northbound and one southbound through lane. This will create a 5-lane facility (2 northbound lanes, and 2 southbound lanes with a center left turn lane) that matches the existing 5-lane roadway south of Kutter Rd.
• 4-foot wide paved shoulders
• Adding 7-foot wide sidewalks with ADA ramps to both sides of the road
• Installing a new traffic signal at the Fred Meyer entrance/Blair Rd intersections
• Signal upgrades at the Bentley Trust Road, Helmericks Ave/Seekins Dr., and Johansen Expressway intersections
• Upgrading street lighting along the corridor
• Improvements to drainage and the storm drain system
• New signs
• Re-paving the road

Stage 2 – re-pave the Old Steese Highway between the 3^rd St and Kutter Rd intersections. Existing sidewalks, curb and gutters, and signalized intersections will remain. Improvements include:

• Pulverizing the existing asphalt pavement and re-paving the road
• Re-striping the road to create 4-foot wide paved shoulders
• Reconstructing non-compliant ADA ramps
• New signs

Both stages will include relocating utility conflicts. Material sources will be contractor furnished.

The project construction is scheduled to begin Spring/Summer 2024

DOT&PF complies with the following Executive Orders (EO):

EO 12898, Environmental Justice
 EO 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment
 EO 13112, Invasive Species

We are currently working on final design, engineering, right-of-way and environmental reviews and want to ensure that all possible factors are considered. If you have any questions, or wish to submit comments, contact Russell Johnson, P.E., Engineering Manager, at (907) 451-5059, russell.johnson@alaska.gov, TTY: 711 or 1-800-770-8973, or by mail at:

Russell Johnson, P.E.
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
2301 Peger Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-5316

Comments may be submitted by January 14, 2023

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2017 and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.

DOT&PF operates all programs without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Full Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml