Nome's Steadman Street enters demolition phase as project barges arrive

Demolition work is set to begin this week on Steadman Street in Nome, advancing a project that will rebuild a segment of the corridor between Front Street and 5th Avenue with ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb ramps, and drainage improvements.

What the Work Covers

The project will not only replace sidewalks and curb ramps. It will reconstruct the roadway itself to address embankment settlement and improve drainage. A contractor is also scheduled to perform thaw wire assessment and repair work on existing storm drains before excavation advances. The demolition phase includes demolition, excavation, and backfill work.

One project barge has arrived with construction materials. A second is expected soon. The contractor and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities completed GPS localization and are developing the project model. Material testing is underway for concrete aggregate, Borrow Select A, Subbase Grading F, and D-1 Base Course materials.

A Basic Constraint of Building in Nome

The barge arrivals reflect the logistical realities of construction in Nome, where materials for remote projects are typically delivered by sea and the construction window is short. The project is part of a broader statewide effort to bring transportation infrastructure into ADA compliance in remote Alaska communities where aging sidewalks and drainage systems have gone unaddressed for decades.

Contacts and Resources

DOT&PF distributed project mailers and flyers to corridor residents, businesses, and government entities ahead of the demolition start. Angelica Stabs is the Northern Region Public Information Officer and can be reached at 907.451.5311 or [email protected]. Grace Fisher, Publication Specialist II, is listed as an additional project contact.

DOT&PF published a public notice soliciting comments on the project in January 2025. The project page is at dot.alaska.gov/nreg/steadman/. Current road conditions are available at 511.alaska.gov.