Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
CENTRAL REGION
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
CENTRAL REGION
DOT&PF > Central Region > Projects > Sterling Highway MP 45-60 Project > Project Description
Project Description
The project will reconstruct the east and west ends of the existing roadway from approximately MP 45–46.5 (2028-2030) to MP 56–58 (complete) to widen shoulders; bring the roadway curves into compliance with design speeds; and add passing lanes, pathways, and wildlife crossings. Additionally, the project will construct about 10 miles of new roadway north of Cooper Landing and the Kenai River, between MP 46.5 and 56. A new Resurrection Pass Trailhead and parking lot will be constructed, with trail connections to the Resurrection Pass and Bean Creek trails as well as the Juneau Creek Falls overlook. New intersections are being designed at the connection of the old (existing) and new highways. Construction will also include a new steel girder bridge spanning Juneau Creek Canyon. The design features four wildlife undercrossing structures, and the first wildlife overpass of a highway in Alaska.
For an overview, watch the following video from the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase describing the Juneau Creek Alternative.
Project Detail Map
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Project Information
For the latest construction updates, visit the Sterling Highway Construction Website.
Purpose & Need
The purpose of the project is to bring the highway up to current standards for a rural principal arterial to efficiently and safely serve through-traffic, local community traffic, and traffic bound for recreation destinations in the area, both now and in the future. In achieving this transportation purpose, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recognize the importance of protecting the Kenai River corridor.
There are three major needs that the Sterling Highway Milepost (MP) 45–60 Project addresses:
- Need 1: Reduce Highway Congestion
- Need 2: Meet Current Highway Design Standards
- Need 3: Improve Highway Safety
Project Benefits
- Increase safety for motorists and pedestrians.
- Improve access to local properties and recreation opportunities along the existing highway.
- Improve travel time through the area.
- Reduce the risk of fuel spills into the Kenai River by moving some traffic away from the river, meeting current standards.
- Reduce noise, dust, and traffic in Cooper Landing.
For an overview, watch this video from the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase describing the Juneau Creek Alternative:
Information on the other alternatives evaluated can be accessed in the Draft EIS Meeting Materials.
History
The gravel highway between Cooper Landing and Homer opened connecting Homer and other western Kenai Peninsula communities to Anchorage.
DOT&PF conducted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to determine the environmental impacts of proposed highway upgrades; alternative routes identified and later rejected for engineering, environmental, financial, and traffic constraint reasons.
DOT&PF initiated an EIS for the highway between MP 45 and 60.
DOT&PF completed upgrades of the MP 37 to 45 section.
DOT&PF conducted extensive alternatives study and analysis. The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation were distributed for public review and comment, recommending the G South Alternative.
DOT&PF and FHWA re-examined the Draft SEIS and technical reports, and considered the issues raised in hundreds of public and agency comments.
DOT&PF and FHWA revised their determination and identified the Juneau Creek Alternative as the preferred alternative with release of the Final EIS and Record of Decision, concluding the EIS process; the Juneau Creek Alternative.