FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. When did the process start and how long before construction?

A. The process started with award of a consultant contract in August 2004. It may take from 5 to 7 years before improvements are constructed. Any projects undertaken by the ADOT&PF using federal highway funds must go through a specific step process that includes developing an environmental document in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Each step must be completed before we move the next step. The following graphic shows a typical schedule for a project requiring an environmental impact statement (EIS).

Q Who is in charge? Who makes the final decision about what will be built?

A. Gerald Welsh is the Project Manager from the DOT&PF; his role is to manage the process, staff and consultants. The decision on the preferred alternative will be the outcome of the environmental document, and will be based on work of the DOT&PF, consultants, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The FHWA has the final authority to make the decision on the preferred alternative.

Q. How is the project funded?

A. 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%.

Q. What are my rights as a property owner if the project will require some of my property?

A. At this time, the precise right-of-way requirements are still undetermined. When the right-of-way requirements are determined and right-of-way acquisition has begun, we have to follow the specific guidelines outlined in the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 as Amended. You can download a copy of this document by clicking here.

Q. What is “scoping”?

A. Scoping is conducted at the very beginning of the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental and is defined as an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action (in this case the proposed action is to upgrade the Parks Highway). Basically -- what needs to be analyzed in depth in an environmental document?

Q What do you do in the Preliminary Engineering & Environmental Phase?

A. We begin with all the data gathered during the scoping phase, we analyze this data, develop alternatives, screen the alternatives and select reasonable alternatives to analyze. The impacts of the reasonable alternatives are analyzed and a decision is made on the alternative that we should build. The decision making process is documented in the environmental document. The following graphic depicts the decision making process resulting in a project decision.

Q. Who do I contact for more information?

A.
Anne Brooks, P.E. - Public Participation Coordinator
Toll Free: 1-866-535-1877
Telephone: 907-272-1877; Fax: 907-743-6087
Email: mycomments@brooks-alaska.com

Gerald Welsh, P.E. - Project Manager
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Email: gerry.welsh@alaska.gov