Transportation

Alaska commercial drivers get another year of paper medical certificates as states go electronic

Alaska commercial drivers can keep using paper medical certificates for 60 days after issue through October 2027, while all other states switch to electronic records this month.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Federal agency takes comment on foreign-built 12-passenger boat's bid for coastwise trade

Federal Maritime Administration is taking public comment on whether a foreign-built 12-passenger boat can carry paying customers between U.S. ports, affecting Alaska tour operators.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

LaFrance sends Anchorage Assembly transit board's call for more AnchorRIDES and bus driver money

Anchorage's transit board asked the Assembly for more 2027 money to cover rising AnchorRIDES costs and hire five bus operators, but the mayor's budget includes no new transit funding.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Mat-Su Assembly pulls Engstrom road reconsideration without debate

Mat-Su Assembly dropped a reconsideration of the Engstrom Road connector, leaving a September vote in place for the $21.6 million northern route over a $9.1 million southern option.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Sterling Highway to close overnight Wednesday between mileposts 45 and 47

Sterling Highway closes overnight Wednesday to Thursday between mileposts 45 and 47 for Cooper Landing bypass construction, the only road connecting western Kenai Peninsula communities to Alaska.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

State presents $5.63 billion transportation plan Tuesday, seeks public comment

Alaska's draft four-year transportation plan commits $5.63 billion, $130 million more than it counts on. Anchorage planners have notes. Comments due Oct. 29.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Bridge inspections close a lane on West Dimond Boulevard in Anchorage

The right lane of westbound W Dimond Boulevard near Carnelian Street is closed until 6 pm Monday, Oct. 5 for bridge inspections.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Planners urge dropping Seward Highway and 5th and 6th rebuilds unless state's numbers add up

Anchorage planners want the Seward Highway rebuild and the 5th and 6th rebuild cut from the long-range plan unless the state's numbers add up. Vote Oct. 15.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readFrom Oct 1

Crews at Richardson Highway Chena bridges begin winter shutdown prep

Richardson Highway bridge crews at Milepost 346 are consolidating materials for winter shutdown, with reduced lanes 9 am to 3 pm on the $89.2 million Chena Flood Control bridges project.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Alaska DOT letter shows $563 million in contracts, projects record year, warns of match shortfall

Alaska DOT awarded $563 million in construction contracts through June and expects $1 billion for fiscal 2025, but a state match shortfall is forcing projects to delay.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

January count finds downtown Anchorage street parking peaked at about a third full

Can't find parking downtown? A city count found Anchorage's downtown street parking only about a third full at its busiest, at least on two winter weekdays.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Juneau airport board to vote on $4.6 million for snow-removal equipment

Juneau's airport board votes Thursday on $4.9 million for new snow gear, from front-end loaders to a runway broom, mostly paid for with FAA money.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Tustumena replacement ferry gets $32.3 million more in federal funding

The Tustumena's planned replacement picked up $32.3 million more in federal money. The low bid ran $49 million over budget, and Kodiak faces a ferry gap.

by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Federal grant of $310,307 funds condition survey of Alaska's ferry fleet

Anchorage planners say state's draft road plan overstates local federal grant by $40 million

Anchorage's transportation planners say the state's draft road plan copied their project list and booked $40 million more work than the money covers.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Alaska's $7.74 billion transportation plan is open for public comment

Bethel commission to weigh $675,000 gravel trail to YKHC campus to replace closed boardwalk

Bethel wants a $675,000 gravel trail to the YKHC campus to replace a boardwalk closed as unsafe. Walkers now pick between the tundra and the highway.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

State tells drivers to stay off the Denali Highway as seasonal maintenance ends

The Denali Highway goes unplowed until spring starting today. Unless you've got a snowmachine or a dog team, the state says stay off it until May 15.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Federal grant puts $18.2 million toward Seppala Drive rebuild in Nome

Nome's long-planned Seppala Drive rebuild now has $18.2 million in federal highway money committed, and the water line under it could be replaced next summer.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Mat-Su gets $7.9 million federal grant for Port MacKenzie barge ramp

The Mat-Su Borough has lined up $12.1 million, mostly federal, for a barge ramp at Port MacKenzie so barges can land without fighting the tides.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 27

Federal highway money for Whittier tunnel operations reaches $4.8 million on one award

Federal Highway Administration awarded Alaska $4.8 million to operate the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel between Whittier and the Seward Highway through March 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Anchorage transit advisory board asks for more city money for AnchorRIDES and bus drivers

Anchorage's transit advisory board wants more city money for AnchorRIDES and five more bus drivers. It didn't say how much, and the Assembly isn't voting yet.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 10

Left lane closed near New Seward Hwy mile 117, set to end 4:10 p.m.

One northbound lane of the New Seward Highway near Mile 117 is closed for maintenance until 4:10 pm. It's the fourth such closure there since Sept. 21.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Tractor-trailer blocks Dalton Highway at Mile 320 in both directions, with delays expected to last hours

A tractor-trailer has the Dalton Highway blocked at Mile 320, the only road to the North Slope. Expect to wait: 511 says it could take multiple hours.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Federal grant puts $1.3 million toward Healy walking and biking path

Healy will build a separated walking and biking path connecting the school and neighborhoods, funded by a $1.3 million federal grant with construction now planned for 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Fairbanks-area plan projects draw $13 million in federal highway obligations

Fairbanks and North Pole projects drew about $13 million in federal highway obligations in six weeks. When any of it gets built is a separate question.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Mat-Su Assembly member moves to reconsider the pricier Engstrom-Trunk road route

The Mat-Su Assembly picked the pricier northern route for the Engstrom-Trunk road 4-3. Now Maxwell Sumner wants a do-over, and it's on the Oct. 6 agenda.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Mat-Su picks a pricier road route over its advisors and landowners

Federal records show $142 million in highway grants for four Sterling Highway projects

Federal records show $142 million in grants for four Sterling Highway jobs, mostly the Cooper Landing bypass, which still has a bridge and years of work to go.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Seward shuttle operator warns rising costs could end free service

Seward's free shuttle operator warned the City Council that rising labor and vehicle costs could make the service too expensive to continue when the contract comes up for renewal.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage airport passenger traffic grows 9% as Fairbanks holds steady, state report says

Anchorage's airport saw about 9% more travelers in the first half of 2026, and more cargo too. Fairbanks held steady right where it was last year.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Whittier Tunnel to close Saturday for USS Ted Stevens commissioning; guests must ride bus or train

The Navy is commissioning a destroyer in Whittier on Saturday, and the tunnel's closed to cars. Guests ride buses from Anchorage. The train's already full.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

State's draft road plan puts about $551 million into Kenai Peninsula projects; comments due Oct. 29

The state's draft road plan pours over half a billion dollars into Kenai Peninsula roads, mostly the Sterling Highway. Speak now: comments close Oct. 29.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min readFrom Sep 14

Follows: Alaska's $7.74 billion transportation plan is open for public comment

Prince William Sound faces a winter without ferry service as the Aurora is overhauled

Prince William Sound faces a winter with little or no ferry service while the 1977-built Aurora is overhauled. New docks are the fix, and they're years away.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Lawmakers press state on Safer Seward Highway project's size and funding as DOT reopens comment

Lawmakers pressed DOT on the Safer Seward Highway's size and funding. DOT pointed to open houses, new data online and 30 more days of public comment.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Federal grant of $310,307 funds condition survey of Alaska's ferry fleet

Alaska is paying $310,000 to survey a ferry fleet whose flagship turns 62 this year. The bid to replace it came in $49 million over budget.

by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago1 min read

Southeast's freight surcharge hits its highest published level

The fuel surcharge on Southeast freight hits 22.5 percent, the highest on record. Nobody outside the company can check the number against anything.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 18

Alaska will spend up to $250,000 studying a ferry terminal in Hyder

Alaska wants to study a ferry terminal for a town of 41 people. The reason is Canada: Hyder's road runs south through B.C., and Prince Rupert may not last.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

People Mover puts up its first artwork bus stop sign on Muldoon Road

Anchorage bus stops are getting artwork and metal signs to replace paper schedules, starting at Muldoon Road and Northern Lights Boulevard.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Wasilla commissioner asks if city should pause commercial development

A Wasilla commissioner floated halting commercial development over road funding. The chair noted commerce is what pays the city's share of road projects.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Wasilla's road plan expired on a population forecast 38 percent too high

The King Cove road is under construction, but the refuge corridor is still blocked

Bulldozers are on the first 2.8 miles of the King Cove road. The 10.5 miles through the refuge that would finish it are still blocked by a judge.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 16

Left lane closed on O'Malley Road northbound until 4 p.m. Tuesday

One northbound lane of O'Malley Road is closed until 4 pm Tuesday for guardrail and fence repair. The road itself stays open the whole time.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Alaska's $7.74 billion transportation plan is open for public comment

Alaska's four-year, $7.74 billion transportation plan is open for comment until Oct. 29 — and the draft itself says that total isn't complete.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read