State seeks public comment on Taylor Highway bridge retrofit by April 23

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is accepting public comments through April 23 on a project to strengthen a bridge on the Taylor Highway at milepost 152.5.

The project would stabilize and reinforce the steel abutment at the north end of the American Creek No. 2 bridge. Workers would add steel pieces about two feet long to the top of the abutment cap at each of the four girders. All work would happen from the bridge deck with no in-water construction required.

The project would have a minor encroachment into the floodplain of American Creek. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

The department is developing the project under federal regulations including Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and executive orders covering floodplain management, wetlands protection, cultural environment protection, and invasive species.

Send comments by April 23 to Melissa Riordan, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-5316. Email [email protected] or call 907-451-2243. For TTY, call 711 or 1-800-770-8973.

The department is conducting the environmental review under a 2023 agreement with the Federal Highway Administration.