Alaska DOT&PF is the state agency that builds and maintains highways, airports, harbors and ferries statewide. It oversees road construction, airport operations, harbor facilities and the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry service as part of the State of Alaska.
Photo by Paxson Woelber, via Flickr · Photo source · CC BY 2.0
dot.alaska.gov ↗Alaska
Places and topics in this news
Numbers are stories in the last 30 days.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons · Photo source · Public domain
AMATS committee kept Seward Highway project in draft plan after staff asked to remove it
The AMATS Policy Committee voted Oct. 15 to release Anchorage's draft 2052 Transportation Plan for public comment with the Safer Seward Highway project still in it, draft minutes show. AMATS staff had asked the committee to remove the project first.
The plan from AMATS, short for Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions, guides road, transit and trail spending for the Anchorage Bowl and Chugiak-Eagle River for more than 20 years. Public comment on the draft closes Dec. 3, according to an Assembly memorandum. AMATS must finish the plan by Dec. 29 to avoid a potential freeze on new federal funding, June committee minutes show.
AMATS Executive Director Aaron Jongenelen said a letter from the state transportation department put the total project cost at $1.598 billion, while plan tables in that same letter added up to $1.638 billion. The parent project appeared at $116 million in those tables but $121 million in the letter's four-year funding list. Jongenelen said he emailed his questions to the department the day before the meeting.
Chair Katherine Keith, deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, called that a quick turnaround. She said she never received the email and wanted written answers for the record. Most of the gaps, she said, reflect differences between a long-range plan and the state's four-year funding list.
Public Works Director Kent Kohlhase moved to release the draft using the state's tables. Keith restated the motion to include the Seward Highway projects and a new 5th and 6th Avenue reconstruction, which staff said it no longer wanted removed. It passed without objection. The vote lists Stage 3 of the highway project, from Windy Corner to Rainbow, as both a Transportation Improvement Program item and a short-term project in the plan's timeline. Keith said Stage 3 is about $236 million, more than the state would normally program in one year, and is not yet in the state's four-year window.
What did you make of this story? (no account needed)
Have a story about Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities? Send a tip
Stories on what’s next
Sealed bids accepted until: Sealed Bid Offering - ADA-09754 - Proposal to Lease State Airport Land at Kodiak Airport
Non-aviation rent at Kodiak Airport starts at twice recent aviation rates
A Kodiak Airport lot is up for bid for non-aviation use at 37.5 cents a square foot, roughly twice what aviation tenants there have recently been charged.
Sheep Creek Road & West Tanana Drive Roundabout Public Open House
State plans $5.2 million roundabout at Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive near UAF
Fairbanks drivers who stop to turn left off Sheep Creek Road near UAF could get a roundabout instead. The state's $5.2 million plan is open for comment.
Sargent Creek and Russian River Bridges Public Open House
State's draft plan would replace, not repair, Kodiak's Sargent Creek Bridge
Kodiak's cracked Sargent Creek Bridge was in line for a temporary fix. The state's draft road plan now calls for a $6.8 million replacement in 2029.
Nordale Road/Peede Road Roundabout Public Open House
State proposes a roundabout at Nordale and Peede roads in North Pole
The state wants to replace the stop signs at Nordale and Peede roads in North Pole, an intersection with a history of crashes, with a roundabout.
Latest
Week of Nov 9
State crews will pull and toss leftover campaign signs along Fairbanks-area highways
The election was Nov. 3. Some campaign signs are still standing along Fairbanks-area highways. State crews will now pull them and throw them out.
by Walter AlaskaNews12h ago2 min read
State plans to replace worn-out docking structures at Auke Bay ferry terminal
The state wants to replace rotting, corroded docking structures at Juneau's Auke Bay ferry terminal. Red king crab habitat already moved its dump site.
by Walter AlaskaNews16h ago2 min read
Cape Blossom Road near Kotzebue is closed while crews install a temporary bridge
Cape Blossom Road near Kotzebue is closed while Brice Construction installs a temporary bridge, with no reopening date given.
by Alaska News16h ago2 min read
Whittier gets $4.1 million in federal money to design a DeLong Dock replacement
Whittier got $4.07 million in federal money to design a replacement for its 70 year old DeLong Dock.
by Melinda Communities.News1d ago2 min read
Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway reopens to one lane after avalanche closure
Dalton Highway's Atigun Pass reopened to one lane Monday after an avalanche closure, with vehicle recovery work still underway near Milepost 243.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago1 min read
Week of Nov 2
State takes comment on North Slope seismic survey and three airport lease extensions
The state is taking comments on a 205-square-mile North Slope seismic survey and on no-bid lease extensions at the Birchwood, Dillingham and Girdwood airports.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4d ago2 min readFrom 
State closes Dalton Highway over Atigun Pass due to high avalanche activity
DOT closed the Dalton Highway at Atigun Pass Saturday after high winds, blowing snow and avalanche danger. Closures there can last about 48 hours, and the road can strand travelers for days.
by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago1 min read
Egan Drive's winter 45 mph speed limit is now in effect in Juneau through Jan. 31
Egan Drive's speed limit near Fred Meyer in Juneau is 45 mph through Jan. 31, down from 55 mph. The stretch sees heavy crashes in winter, and a permanent traffic signal fix isn't expected until 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Juneau pushes state to keep a second Douglas Island bridge in its road plan
Juneau told the state a second bridge to Douglas Island is "a must" for its next road plan. The state's draft has no money for it. DOT says it's still active.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
State transportation department urges drivers to slow down as Alaska roads turn wintry
The state transportation department wants Alaskans to slow down as roads turn wintry, since speed limits assume good conditions. Also: stop tailgating the plow.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
Anchorage airport noise study to present land use options on Nov. 18
Anchorage's airport noise study shows land use options Nov. 18. In August, the only flight change that cut the homes in its noise zone drew doubts.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read
Alaska starts a statewide network to make walking and biking to school safer
The state is starting a statewide group to help Alaska kids walk and bike to school more safely, winter and all. Parents, teachers and planners are welcome.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
State moves to finish designing a road to the Akutan harbor built without one in 2012
Akutan's boat harbor was dug in 2012 with no road to the village. The state now wants a firm to finish designing one, with construction going to bid in 2028.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Juneau staff seek approval to remove closed Calhoun Avenue pedestrian bridge
Juneau staff asked a committee to approve removing the closed Calhoun Avenue bridge for $150,000. The 1977 structure is unsafe and no replacement is planned.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
State will drill test holes on Glacier Highway in Juneau for planned lighting
The state will drill 20-foot holes in Glacier Highway's shoulder Nov. 9-20 to test the ground for planned lighting, which has slipped to a 2027 bid date.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Equipment arrives at Cascade Point ferry site before construction is authorized
The state has started hauling equipment to its Cascade Point ferry terminal site north of Juneau. It still hasn't cleared anyone to start digging.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Coming up
Northern Region FFY27 NHS Interstate Highway Preventative Maintenance and Repair – Public Comment Deadline
Public notice
Written comments due: ADA-72915 Proposal to Permit Use of State Airport Land at Stebbins Airport
Public notice
Written comments due: ADA-72180 Proposal to Extend a State Airport Land Lease at Kotzebue Airport
Public notice
Parks Highway MP 303-306 Rehabilitation Public Open House
Public notice
Nordale Road/Peede Road Roundabout Public Open House
Public notice
About Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Photo by Paxson Woelber, via Flickr · Photo source · CC BY 2.0
dot.alaska.gov ↗Alaska
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is the State of Alaska agency that builds and maintains highways, airports, harbors and ferries. It runs the Alaska Marine Highway System and oversees road construction and rural airports across the state.
The department schedules highway closures and construction, leases airport land, and draws federal highway and aviation grants for projects from Nome to Haines. It puts a statewide transportation plan out for public comment and sources rock and gravel from state pits.
Its plans meet scrutiny from local planners, as when Anchorage disputes the grant figures in a draft. Road and ferry links for remote communities, such as the King Cove road and a ferry to Unalaska, raise recurring questions, and federal highway money helps pay to operate the Whittier tunnel.
More from Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Week of Oct 26
Anchorage road plan keeps contested Seward Highway and downtown rebuilds
Anchorage's draft road plan keeps a $1.6 billion Seward Highway rebuild and a lane-cutting 5th and 6th redo, counting on federal money above the usual share.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read
Richardson Highway ramp to Mitchell Expressway closes Sunday morning in Fairbanks
DOT will fully close the Richardson Highway ramp to the Mitchell Expressway in Fairbanks Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 am to 1 pm. The corridor carries up to 21,800 vehicles a day.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
Multiple crashes in Turnagain Pass slow Seward Highway traffic Friday
Several crashes and poor road conditions in Turnagain Pass on the Seward Highway brought emergency crews and delays Friday afternoon, Alaska 511 said.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
State proposes 320-acre Dalton Highway gravel site near the Ambler road's start
The state wants to open a 320-acre gravel site at Dalton Highway Milepost 165, about four miles from where the Ambler road would start. DOT gets the first load.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Kodiak wins $26 million for St. Herman Harbor but is still $45 million short
Kodiak won about $26 million to rebuild part of St. Herman Harbor, where 1982 floats are failing. It's still about $45 million short of a new harbor.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read
FEMA is still paying for Southeast Alaska's deadly 2020 storms, nearly six years later
FEMA is still paying for Southeast Alaska's deadly 2020 storms. One Haines road it defunded, then refunded, now faces opposition from Klukwan's tribal council.
by Melinda Communities.News1w ago2 min read
State plans to sell DOT 50,000 cubic yards of rock from a Lowe River quarry
DOT wants 50,000 cubic yards of rock from a Lowe River quarry near Keystone Canyon. When it opened for Alyeska in 1983, some rocks came out 10 feet across.
by Alaska News2w ago2 min read
State to show Kodiak residents options for replacing two cracked bridges
Two cracked bridges are the only road link between Kodiak and a neighborhood of about 800 beyond Womens Bay. The state shows replacement options Nov. 18.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Alaskans have until Thursday to comment on the state's $7.74 billion transportation plan
Got opinions about Alaska's roads, ferries or trails? Thursday at 5 pm is the last chance to comment on the state's $7.74 billion four-year transportation plan.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
State proposes 50-year Deadhorse Airport lease for an oilfield camp and yard
The state wants to rent nearly 11 acres of Deadhorse Airport for 50 years for a camp and oilfield equipment yard. Rent: about $133,000 a year.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min read
Week of Oct 19
Nome loses power citywide during storm after generator shuts down with second unit offline
Nome lost power citywide during Friday's storm when one generator shut itself down while another was offline for maintenance. State offices let workers go.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Alaska students can propose a glacier name for the Tustumena's replacement ferry
Alaska students can pitch a name for the Tustumena's replacement ferry, as long as it's a glacier, and the Legislature gets the final say. Essays due Nov. 23.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Avalanche work brings intermittent closures to Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway
DOT triggers avalanches at Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway Friday, noon to 4pm, causing intermittent closures. Winter avalanches there can strand travelers for days.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Cape Blossom Road closes for second stage of project to cut Kotzebue freight costs
The road south of Kotzebue toward Cape Blossom is closed for the second stage of construction on a project meant to cut freight costs for the region.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Fairbanks state office building closes again, this time for a water shutoff
The state office building at 455 3rd Ave. in Fairbanks closed again Thursday, this time for a water shutoff. It's at least the fourth closure since December.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Egan Drive near Fred Meyer drops to 45 mph again Nov. 1 as Juneau waits for a signal
Egan Drive near Fred Meyer drops to 45 mph again Nov. 1 through January, peak crash season. The fix, a traffic signal, is set to start construction in 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
tate restarts historic review of Cowles Street rebuild after adding buried power lines
Fairbanks' Cowles Street rebuild got bigger, so the state is redoing its historic homework on a corridor with 31 cataloged sites and four Register listings.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
Ketchikan viaduct repairs slip to 2030, the second delay since August
Ketchikan viaduct repairs slid from 2027 to 2028 and now 2030, and a draft state plan would spend $10.25 million designing a partial Water Street replacement.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
Archangel Road in Hatcher Pass closes to vehicles for the winter
Archangel Road in Hatcher Pass closed to cars for the winter Tuesday. Reed Lakes hikers, you're walking now. Snowmachiners, your season is coming.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Commercial vehicle rollover closes Tok Cutoff Highway near mile 52 Monday evening
A commercial vehicle rollover closed the Tok Cutoff Highway near mile 52 Monday evening, reopening pushed to 10:20 pm.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Juneau closes Calhoun Avenue pedestrian bridge a year after setting aside money to replace it
Juneau closed the Calhoun Avenue pedestrian bridge as unsafe. A year ago it set aside $750,000 to replace it in 2026. None was spent through July.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readFrom 
Week of Oct 12
Motorist hits guardrail on icy Richardson Highway in Thompson Pass
A motorist hit a guardrail on icy Richardson Highway in Thompson Pass Thursday, troopers said. No injuries, but the pass sees 700+ inches of snow a year and frequent avalanches.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Rollover partially blocked Edgerton Highway between miles 26 and 27 Friday morning
A vehicle rollover partially blocked the Edgerton Highway between miles 26 and 27 Friday morning. The advisory was gone by Friday evening, with no word on injuries or cause.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
Disabled vehicle blocks northbound Dalton Highway lane near Mile 86
A disabled vehicle blocked the Dalton Highway's northbound lane near Mile 86 Friday night, with icy conditions reported. Crews expected to clear it by Saturday morning, 7:14 am.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read