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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

CENTRAL REGION
DOT&PF > Central Region > Projects > Project Description

Project Description

Study Description

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), Central Region, is conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to identify and evaluate options to improve livability, regional travel between the Seward and Glenn Highways, and local travel within the surrounding neighborhoods. The project will also identify ways to improve access between the Port of Alaska and the highway network. 

The study will build on past work in the area to develop long-term solutions to safety, livability, congestion, access, connectivity, and freight needs. It will result in an implementation plan that describes how the study recommendations can be phased, funded, and implemented, given competing statewide transportation priorities. Specific tasks include planning, environmental studies, traffic forecasting, travel demand modeling, development of a purpose and need statement, alternatives development, cost estimating, implementation phasing, and public involvement. 

Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study

The study is being prepared as a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. PEL studies represent a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals and impacts early in the transportation planning process and uses the information, analysis, and products developed during planning to inform the environmental review process. The PEL process reduces duplication, shortens the project delivery timeline, and refines the level of effort for future environmental review processes. 

A PEL Study process is an approach to transportation decision-making that helps:
  • Identify potential benefits and impacts on neighborhoods, the environment, and the economy early in the planning stage, making the project more efficient and cost-effective.
  • Engage partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public to build project awareness and support through transparent and consistent communication.
  • Provide opportunities early and often for the public to provide input that shapes the study.
  • Narrow down the range of project alternatives to carry into future environmental review, design, and construction project steps.
  • Produce better environmental outcomes.
  • Facilitate better decision-making.
  • Accelerate project delivery during subsequent environmental approvals.

Learn more about the PEL process in our Project Library tab.

Study Area

The study will identify and evaluate improvements needed to improve transportation safety, access, connectivity, and livability. The study area generally follows Bragaw Street on the east, Northern Lights on the south, C Street on the west, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on the north. It includes areas where potential transportation improvements could be developed between the Glenn and Seward Highways and to and from the Port of Alaska. The study area is broad enough to also gauge how traffic levels on parallel routes may be affected.

A map shows a red border marking the project area in Anchorage. The area includes the Port of Alaska, Downtown, and Merrill Field. It also includes portions of many roads, such as Glenn Highway on the east side of the map and Seward Highway in the south side.

Schedule

The PEL Study process began in June 2021 and is expected to conclude in 2025. Please note that dates in the graphic below are subject to change.

Detailed project schedule includes the following milestones. Project Initiation in summer 2021, Problems to be Solved fall 2021 to spring 2022, Purpose and Need and Evaluation Criteria spring 2022 to winter 2023, Develop Alternatives Evaluate we are here at this phase now. During this phase the project team's objective will be to develop alternative concepts and review them for fundamental flaws and practicality. Activities include Identify and develop alternatives, Prepare centerline and typical sections, Consider environmental and community factors, Collect baseline data and conduct traffic study work during winter 2023 to spring 2024. Future activities include phase 5 Evaluate, Refine, and Select Alternatives in spring 2024 to fall 2024 and Phase 6 Finalize Documentation in fall 2024 to spring 2025. Click the image to download an accessible PDF.