by Doug Vollman
  (Reprinted with permission from the Copper Valley Bi-Weekly)

 On December 3rd at Prince William Sound Community College in Glennallen, the Alaska State Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted an informal meeting outlining the upcoming and tentative DOT construction projects for the Copper Valley. The meeting, hosted by DOT planners Paul Prusak and Judy Chapman and attended by only 4 locals, was one of a series of meetings statewide to hear the concerns of residents and explain project planning, funding and implementation.
  The Copper Valley area construction projects planned for 2003 include the construction of a bike path from Chitina to One Mile Lake, the Glennallen bike path, and the Glenn Highway rehabilitation (MO 173-189), according to a list made available at the meeting. A major project to renovate the Caribou Creek area (MP 100-109) on the Glenn Highway is also planned.
  When asked about the maintenance plans for the McCarthy Road and the Denali Highway, Mr. Prusak said that with a new administration priorities may change. He also said that the Copper River Road beyond O’Brien Creek, that experienced landslides in 2001 and was closed last year, will probably not be reopened this year. It will be a major project to stabilize the area above the landslides and DOT is still working on a plan that will satisfy the Army Corp of Engineers and the Native Corporations that own the land adjacent to the right-of-way.
  Judy Chapman explained the funding sources for DOT projects and maintenance. She said that much of the construction money comes from the federal gas tax which goes into the federal highway trust fund. Most states are required to fund 20% of the costs of projects but because of the vast amounts of federal land in Alaska we are required to fund only 10-15% of the costs of construction projects. According to Chapman the federal government provides virtually no money for maintenance of our highways although Alaska does receive some funding for pavement preventative maintenance.

  There are four funding programs that provide capital project money: the National Highway System; the Community Transportation Program; the Trails and Recreation Access for Alaska; and the Alaska Highway System. Because the state constitution does not allow dedicated funding most of the DOT maintenance funds are budgeted annually by the state legislature from the state general funds.
  One of the four locals attending the meeting, a National Park Service employee, asked about the McCarthy Road environmental impact statement. Mr. Prusak said that it would take 2-3 years to complete it.
  Joe Hart of Chitina Native Corporation expressed his concerns over the closure of the Chitina maintenance station. He said he would like to see the Edgerton Highway resurfaced and the Chitina airport lighted and paved for medical emergencies. There are safety concerns in the Chitina area and poor maintenance affects the Chitina Native Corporation’s ability to do business.
  Also presented at the meeting was the Copper Basin Area Needs List, a list of projects proposed but not necessarily funded. These projects include the improvement of the Klutina Lake Road, the development of a Copper River boat launch in Chitina, major improvements to the McCarthy Road, the Old Edgerton Highway, the Nabesna Road, and many segments of the Glenn and Richardson Highways.

For more information on Copper Valley DOT projects contact Jerry Rafson, area planner at 1-888-PLANDOT.