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Good Decisions

New Alaska DOT & PF policy on Congressional earmarks.

Since federal law requires the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) reimburse the federal government if problems are found on federally funded projects, the state has a fiduciary responsibility to require that earmark funded projects do not lead to financial obligations to the state. DOT&PF will work to inform the congressional staff and potential sponsors on the problems associated with federal transportation funds being used for non-prioritized, non-traditional projects. Federal and state planning regulations, accurate cost estimates including cost to complete calculations, matching funds requirements, and details on federal-aid reimbursement procedures will be addressed.

Fairview Loop residents cheer news of bike path

Fairview Loop, south of Wasilla, is a narrow two-lane road riddled with dips, curves and 90-degree corners that cuts through the heart of one of the most popular places in the Valley to live. The state Department of Transportation plans to spend $22 million to resurface, widen and add shoulders to the road, and iron out some tight corners. Residents, despite recognizing the road is in bad need of repair, this spring asked the state to delay roadwork until it can afford to build a bicycle and pedestrian path at least in the area near Snowshoe Elementary School, a school with 600 students at Mile 8 of the road. Residents this week got their wish. Rep. Stoltze, co-chair of the House Finance Committee, added $4.5 million in state general funds to the capital budget for the project, with the additional money designated for a pedestrian path.

Governor Parnell Amends FY2011 Spending Plan to Include Ferry Funding

Proposed amendments to the FY 2011 capital spending plan include…$60 million from the vessel replacement fund for the Alaska Class Ferry. Using funds set aside in the 2008 legislative session for the new ferry and existing federal authorization, $128 million would be available to the Alaska Marine Highway System for construction of the ferry, beginning in July.

Federal officials approve $60 million for the next generation of state ferries

December 21, 2009 - The next generation of state ferries is one step closer to reality. And it’s a big step. Federal officials have approved up to $60 million for the project.

League of American Bicyclists Designates Anchorage as a Bicycle Friendly Community

October 20, 2009 – The League of American Bicyclists is proud to announce 15 new Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and three renewing BFCs.

Governor Addresses Backlog of Deferred Maintenance Projects

November 12, 2009 – Governor Parnell today committed to creating construction jobs across the state by addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance projects for state-owned facilities.

Fairbanks: Cushman Street could go two-way

June 8, 2008 - Public planners and engineers last summer started looking to return two-way traffic to downtown Fairbanks’ major triangle of streets. One year later, the area’s elected leaders are pushing for answers on how the plan fits in with an adjacent downtown road construction project — a rebuild of Illinois Street. So city and state transportation officials have pieced together a tentative schedule and funding plan that would, among other things, make Cushman Street — downtown’s historic traffic spine — two-way in 2010, the first time in more than three decades.

Anchorage Airport puts runway plan on hold indefinitely

May 22, 2008 - Airport officials announced late today that they have shelved indefinitely plans to build a new runway following a turbulent public meeting Wednesday night full of objections to proposals that would affect the popular Coastal Trail.

The Alaska Railroad Corp. is making plans to build rail from Moose Creek to the Tanana Flats using money originally set aside to realign rail on Fort Wainwright, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens announced Saturday.

April 20, 2008 - The Alaska Railroad Corp. is making plans to build rail from Moose Creek to the Tanana Flats using money originally set aside to realign rail on Fort Wainwright, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens announced Saturday. The Fort Wainwright railroad project will be put on hold, pleasing critics who say it undermines separate plans to move all train traffic out of downtown Fairbanks and to the south.

Gravina Access Project Redirected

September 21, 2007, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today directed the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to look for the most fiscally responsible alternative for access to the Ketchikan airport and Gravina Island...

Governor Palin re-establishes the Marine Transportation Advisory Board

March 28, 2007 - Governor Sarah Palin re-establishes the Marine Transportation Advisory Board to provide recommendations to the governor and the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Governor cancels $11 million materials contract for Juneau Road

February 28, 2007 - At Governor Sarah Palin’s direction, the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) cancelled a materials contract related to the Juneau-Lynn Canal Highway project, totaling nearly $11 million. The cancelled contract was for concrete girders which would have been used to construct bridges on the Juneau-Lynn Canal Highway.

State withdraws permit applications for Stampede Road

October 19, 2007 - The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on Thursday withdrew permit applications at the U.S. Corp of Engineers and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for the Stampede Road Improvement Project.

Governor cancels “pioneer” Juneau Road

December 14, 2006 – Governor Sarah Palin today directed the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to terminate the construction contract for the planned 11-mile pioneer road to begin the Lynn Canal Highway. The governor concluded that the one-lane pioneer road the contract would build is not what Alaskans need and thus is not in the best interest of the state.