AK DOT: Public Meeting on Intent to Begin Engineering & Environmental Studies for Evergreen Rd. Improvements

Representatives of DOT&PF will be in Wrangell on April 18, 2013 to conduct a public information meeting to seek public input about the up-coming Evergreen Road project. The meeting will be held from 6-8 PM at the Nolan Center. A display of the proposed project will be available as will DOT&PF personnel to answer questions.  The public is encouraged to suggest comments and ask about the project.

About the Project
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) proposes to use federal funds to construct the Wrangell-Evergreen Road Improvements and Pedestrian Access project. The proposed project would rehabilitate approximately one mile of Evergreen Road beginning at 2nd Street to about 500 ft before the airport.

The proposed project would
      *  change horizontal and vertical alignment
      *  repair culverts and improving ditches and drainage systems
      *  upgrade existing water and sewer systems
      *  pave and add road striping and signage
      *  repair and replacing guard rails
      *  road striping and signage

The proposed project would also construct approximately 3,000 feet of 5 ft sidewalk on the ocean side of Evergreen Road from 2nd Street to 5th Street which would
      *  excavate and construct new embankment
      *  form new embankment at some locations in marine waters
      *  relocate overhead utilities to either or both, buried conduit or to new pole locations,
         resulting in utility easements or changes to the right-of-way (ROW).
      *  remedy existing encroachments to the ROW
      *  acquire additional ROW to allow construction of proposed improvements

Construction is anticipated to begin in summer of 2015.

Notice of Intent to Complete Environmental Document
This proposed project would follow the process required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on project location and scope of work, the environmental document would be a Categorical Exclusion.  Possible affected resources include wetlands and waters of the U.S., essential fish habitat, eagles, and cultural or historic properties.

The project would comply with these acts and executive Orders
      *  National Historic Preservation Act – Sect.106
      *  EO-11593 Protect & Enhance Cultural Environment
      *  EO-13007 Indian Sacred Sites
      *  EO-13175 Consult & Coordinate w/ Indian Tribal Governments
      *  EO-12898 Environmental Justice
      *  Clean Air & Clean Water Acts
      *  EO-11988 Floodplain Mgt
      *  EO-11990 Protection of Wetlands
      *  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act
      *  EO-13112 Invasive Species

Comments on the proposal from interested persons will assist us in completing the design and preparing the project's environmental documentation. You may provide written comments at the public meeting, or you can submit your comments to:

Chris Schelb, Environmental Analyst
DOT&PF, Southeast Region
PO Box 112506
Juneau AK 99811-2506

Or via phone to: 465-4447, via E- mail to chris.schelb@alaska.gov, via FAX to: 465-3506