Federal highway chief commits to King Cove Road action

Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster pledged Wednesday to finalize federal actions needed for the King Cove Road connecting the community to Cold Bay's all-weather airport.

McMaster told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee he will visit Alaska in late June to tour the Cooper Landing bypass project. The administrator committed to maintaining ferry boat program funding, critical for Southeast Alaska communities, after distributing $175 million to 35 states last fall.

The King Cove Road has faced decades of environmental review and litigation over its proposed route through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska filed motions to intervene in new litigation over the project in February. Planning documents describe the project as approximately 11 miles of new road corridor connecting King Cove to the existing road network leading to Cold Bay's airport. The exact mileage depends on the final alignment federal decision-makers adopt.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, pressed McMaster on the King Cove project during the hearing. "This road will save lives," Sullivan said. "We had a hearing a number of years ago. There was over 18 people killed in King Cove as they were trying to get out of King Cove in bad weather. People who had emergencies."

McMaster responded: "Absolutely. Look forward to it. We have a tribal transportation program agreement with the tribe in the area." He added, "You have my commitment to work with you to push this."

The administrator said FHWA will provide technical assistance as helpful and necessary for the project. Sullivan is expected to host McMaster in Alaska at the end of June or early July, with potential visits to both the Cooper Landing bypass project and King Cove.