Frequently Asked Questions
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| PROCESS | ||
What is the purpose of this project?The purpose of the project is to improve safety and reduce congestion along the Sterling Highway between MP 45 and 60. This process updates and revises the 1994 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the Sterling Highway Milepost 37 to Milepost 60 project. Using the 1994 document as the base, the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) will analyze and evaluate a range of alternatives to address traffic flow, seasonal congestion, local access issues, and roadway deficiencies. How does the project affect Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Sales? Multiple alternatives are being analyzed in an EIS that has additional steps to be taken before a decision is made on which alternative to select. Once the EIS is complete and if a build alternative is selected, a design process of 18 months to 2 years will likely follow, provided the design phase of the project is funded. See Sterling Parcel Map showing property boundaries and proposed alignments (PDF Format) The above schematic representation is a preliminary work product. It represents the conceptual thinking of ADOT&PF as of November 2004. Alignments shown are based on conceptual level aerial photography (from May 2000). Property lines are from R&M Consultants, and have not been field verified. What is an "DSEIS?" How does it differ from an EIS?In 1994, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) developed a “Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Sterling Highway” which did not advance beyond the “draft” stage. The “Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement” will update the data that was used to develop the 1994 DEIS, provide additional analysis where needed, and review new alternatives. A Record of Decision (ROD) for the project will be the final step in the EIS process. If a build alternative is selected, the ROD will enable ADOT&PF to begin the detailed design process. When did this process start? How long will it take?This DSEIS process began in the Summer of 2000 - although the ADOT&PF has been working to resolve the transportation issues in the corridor on and off since the early 1980s. A Notice of Intent was published in 2003, starting the formal NEPA review process. Who is in charge? Who makes the final decision about what will be built?How is the project funded?The project is funded by the Federal Highway Trust Fund. The federal government pays 93.4% of project costs with the State paying for the remaining 6.6%. When will something be built?As scheduled currently, the EIS will be finalized in 2007. Final design work is anticipated in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). See Schedule I have heard that the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities prefers the Juneau Creek Alternative. If so, then why are we doing this process? The ADOT&PF does not have a preferred alternative at this time and is committed to working through the DSEIS process with local/regional stakeholders and local, state, and federal agencies to select a preferred alternative that best resolves the transportation problems in the corridor. In 1995, following the Draft EIS public review, the Commissioner of ADOT&PF indicated an engineering preference for the Juneau Creek Alternative. Many things have changed since then. The current DSEIS process uses the previous range of alternatives as a starting point but is analyzing a wider range of alternatives.
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| ISSUES TO TOP | ||
Is this project the same as the bypass of Cooper Landing that has been talked about for a long time? The short, but incomplete answer is “Yes.” A bypass of Cooper Landing either to the north or to the south are but two of several alternatives that have been considered as a part of this process. The “bypass” alternatives range from a full bypass to a partial bypass. Will this project include a pedestrian and bicycle path in Cooper Landing?Bicycles and pedestrians are provided for in all of the alternatives. Whether a path will be built in Cooper Landing as a part of this project depends on the selected alternative. Some of the alternatives are not along the existing highway, and one alternative is a “No Build” as required by NEPA. However, a bicycle/pedestrian path could still be constructed in Cooper Landing as a separate project if it was identified and prioritized under the State Transportation Improvement Program. There are a lot of driveways and private properties along the existing highway, how will those accesses be affected by this project? This also depends on which alternative is selected. If an alternative is selected along the existing highway, there could be substantial impacts to existing access, depending on which one is selected. If a new highway alignment is selected or if the “No Build” is selected there will be no impacts as part of this project. Traffic moves too fast through Cooper Landing – will this project increase the speed through town? How will speed be handled?All of the alternatives under consideration are being analyzed at a 60 mph “design speed” – which is not the same as the “posted speed” limit. If an alternative that uses the existing highway is selected, the ADOT&PF will work with the local community to establish an appropriate posted speed limit near town. Over the years I’ve only ever heard of two or three alternatives – Juneau Creek (the bypass), Kenai River (adding more bridges), and widening the existing road, are these the only options? These three alternatives were discussed either in the 1982 and 1994 Draft EISs and are included in the current discussion in one form or another. However, discussions with local and regional stakeholders, agencies, FHWA, ADOT&PF and consultants resulted in a much wider range of alternatives was considered. Currently, three reasonable alternatives, plus the No Build Alternative, are under review.
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| AGENCY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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What is the Agency Consultation Committee (ACC) and what does it do?This group includes area Native Corporations, Tribes, and local, state, and federal government agencies that have policy-making authority, permitting responsibility, land holdings, and are critical agencies with which the ADOT&PF coordinates. The ACC has met on a similar timetable as the SSB. The meetings are considered “staff meetings” not public meetings.
What is the Stakeholder Sounding Board (SSB) and what does it do?
The SSB is an “open membership” advisory committee. The role of the SSB is to ensure that issues that are important to area property owners, local communities, and regional and national interest groups are a part of the process. The SSB will has met throughout the process, in the evenings – with the majority of the meetings in Cooper Landing.
See list of SSB How are the SSB participants chosen? Can I become a member of the SSB? The SSB is open to anyone who is interested in participating. The ADOT&PF developed an initial list of over 60 local, regional, and national stakeholders –including everyone who made public comment in the 1994 draft EIS process. More than 150 people have participated in SSB meetings. If you are on the project mailing list, you will receive postcard notifications of the SSB meetings approximately two weeks in advance of a meeting. If you have attended an SSB meeting or indicated an interest in attending, you will be notified by email or phone approximately one month before a SSB meeting and you may receive additional project correspondence. SSB meetings always include a display period at the beginning of the meeting, and a mix of presentations, facilitated discussions, and small group work. When do state and federal agencies provide their input on the project? The ADOT&PF encourages State and federal agencies to provide their input as early as possible, preferably through participation on the Agency Consultation Committee. The DSEIS process is designed to work with agencies up front and identify issues to address early so that the range of alternatives reflects their input.
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| CONTACT INFORMATION TO TOP | ||
Whom do I contact for more information?
How do I get on your mailing list? Send us an email through this site or call one of us. CONTACT US When will we have an opportunity to review and comment on the alternatives and the environmental analysis? Right now! You will find updated information on the web site, send us an email and tell us your thoughts, ideas, concerns. CONTACT US
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