Notice of Intent to Begin Engineering and Environmental Studies: Seward highway MP 14 Railroad crossing reconstruction

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. 327 and is soliciting comments and information on a project to reconstruct the Alaska Railroad (ARRC) undercrossing near Mile 14 of the Seward Highway to accommodate a future ARRC project that will elevate the railroad track by approximately three feet. The proposed work would include:Reconstructing the Seward Highway at the undercrossing installing rip rap as erosion control in Snow River Improving drainage facilities, including ditches and culverts Replacement or installation of: Guardrail and guardrail end treatments Signs, roadside hardware, and striping Relocating or adjusting utilities Vegetation clearing and grubbingIn addition, the project activities may encroach into the base (100 year) floodplain, as the floodplain maps are not available in the project area. Any encroachments are anticipated to be minor, with no change

greater than a one foot rise to the base flood elevation, and thus would not result in significant encroachments.This proposed project will comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Orders: 11990 (Wetlands Protection), 11988 (Floodplain Protection), 12898 (Environmental Justice), the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and U.S. DOT Act Section 4(1).Construction for the proposed project is anticipated to begin in summer 2024. To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide written comments to the following address by July 11, 2022.Brian Elliott, Regional Environmental Manager DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental P.O. Box 196900 Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Steven Rzepka, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0592 or steven.rzepka@alaska.gov.The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2017, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.It is the policy of the DOT&PF that no person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska Funds.The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with a hearing impairment can contact DOT&PF at our Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.