Fairbanks FAST Planning committee to start shaping 2027-2031 federal project list

FAST Planning's Technical Committee meets at noon Wednesday, Nov. 18, to begin discussing the Transportation Improvement Program for federal fiscal years 2027 through 2031, according to the public notice. The program sets which Fairbanks and North Pole road, transit and other transportation projects draw federal money. The work session is open to the public at the FAST Planning office in the KeyBank Building downtown and online.

The committee will first review funding obligations for existing projects. An Oct. 2 memo to the committee said FFY2026 ended with 85% of the $22 million program committed, leaving about $3 million. That money should be able to carry forward to FFY2027, but the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities must confirm it, the memo said. It was the second straight year FAST Planning missed its goal of committing 100% of program funds. FFY2025 ended 97% obligated, about $500,000 short.

The committee will also weigh funding for new project nominations from the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the federally required 20-year plan updated every four years. Its interim draft, released for public review Sept. 30, lists 230 projects, programs and plans totaling more than $1.6 billion over 20 years. FAST Planning receives about $10.5 million in federal funding a year, according to a June TIP amendment.

The Technical Committee's recommendations are advisory. The FAST Planning Policy Board, which includes the borough, Fairbanks and North Pole mayors, makes the final decisions, according to a June Policy Board packet.