Juneau Access SEIS Released

Dear Neighbors,

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) has released the Juneau Access Improvements Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The document is available for review and public comment, and may be found online at juneauaccess.alaska.gov. Comments are due by November 10th and can be submitted at juneauaccess@alaska.gov.

In 2006, the Federal Highway Administration issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision for the Juneau Access Improvements Project. A 2009 U.S. District Court decision ruled the FEIS was not valid because it did not consider an alternative that would improve surface transportation in Lynn Canal with existing ferry assets. This ruling was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In September 2011, ADOT&PF began the process with the Federal Highway Administration to complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

ADOT&PF and the Federal Highway Administration have identified Alternative 2B, known as the East Lynn Canal Highway, as the preferred alternative. This alternative connects the existing Juneau road system at Echo Cove to the Katzehin River Delta approximately 48 miles north. Ferry shuttle service would then be provided between Katzehin, Haines and Skagway. A separate shuttle ferry would also operate between Haines and Skagway during the summer.

ADOT&PF will host an open house and hearing to present the Juneau Access Improvements Project Draft SEIS at the following locations and times:

Juneau - Tuesday, October 14: Centennial Hall Convention Center
Open House: 1 p.m. - Public Hearing: 5 p.m.

Haines - Wednesday, October 15: Chilkat Center for the Arts
Open House: 3 p.m. - Public Hearing: 6 p.m.

Skagway - Thursday, October 23: Skagway High School Multi-Purpose Room
Open House: 3 p.m. - Public Hearing: 6 p.m.

Alaska Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

The Alaska Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is the state’s four-year program for preservation and development of the transportation system. It covers all the projects that are expected to take place during a four year period (in this case 2012-2015) and that have been approved for partial or full federal funding.

The STIP is periodically amended when a project is added or removed, or there is an increase or decrease in the funding amount. An amendment will also be adopted when there is a major change in the schedule, description or title of the project. ADOT&PF has adopted the most recent amendment to the 2012-2015 STIP. Amendment 11 addresses funding and scheduling issues on several projects around the state. Details are available at: http://www.dot.alaska.gov/stip

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Sam Kito III