Request for Public Comment
Richardson Highway MP 266-341 Passing Lanes 
Project No.:  Z601750000/0A023(021)

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is requesting public comments on the Richardson Highway MP 266-341 Passing Lane project.  DOT&PF originally requested public comments in May 2019 but there have been a few updates to the project design since then, so we are offering another opportunity for public comments.

The project’s purpose is to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety along a segment of the Richardson Highway, between mile post (MP) 266 and MP 341. The proposed project actions are to:

• Construct ten passing lanes, each approximately one mile in length, within seven general locations along the Richardson Highway:
  1. North Bound (NB) and South Bound (SB) MP 335-337;
  2. NB MP 326- 328;
  3. NB MP and SB MP 309-311;
  4. SB MP 302-304;
  5. NB MP 291-293;
  6. NB MP and SB MP 279-283; and;
• Extend or replace existing culverts that are located within the proposed passing lane segments.
• NB MP 270-271.
• Vegetation clearing, utility relocations, and improve signage/guardrails as needed
• Four Material Sites will be available to the contractor for material. They are located along the Richardson Highway at these locations:

• MP 330.7
• MP 314.1
• MP 295
• MP 276.5

This project began in 2017 is not associated with the Mahn Choh Haul Route. There is a separate DOT&PF website to become involved with that proposal.

This project has been developed in accordance with the following special purpose regulations including:  
Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act; Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

Executive Orders (E.O.):

11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment)
E.O. 11988 (Floodplain Management)
E.O. 11990 (Wetlands Protection)
E.O. 12898 (Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations)
and E.O.13112 (Invasive Species).

Details of the proposed project, preliminary research on potential environmental impacts from the proposed project
actions, and figures of the project area can be reviewed through the following website:  http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/

For further information regarding the project, or if you would like to submit comments, you can contact Carl Heim listed below. 

Comments are requested by February 10, 2023. 

Carl Heim, P.E., Engineering Manager
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
2301 Peger Road    Fairbanks, AK 99709
Phone: (907) 451-5359    E-mail: carl.heim@alaska.gov
Communication via text telephone: TTY 711 or 1-800-770-8973

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, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or origin.  Full Title VI Nondiscrimination  Policy:  dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml