Notice of Public Meeting and Comment Period for the Safer Seward Highway Project

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is hosting a special public meeting for the Safer Seward Highway to present the process followed in determining the purpose and need statement, the concepts considered, and next steps in the environmental process. This meeting will explain the many ideas considered to date, analysis done, and the specifics of the proposed engineering design details and invite the public to provide feedback. The purpose of the project is to reduce crash rates and severity, improve mobility and reliability for all users, and safely accommodate mixed uses in the corridor. The proposed action is a divided four-lane highway with a separated pedestrian pathway. About 7 miles of the Alaska Railroad would be realigned to make space for the improvements. The modifications would require the conversion of approximately 200 acres within Chugach State Park and 17 acres within the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge to transportation use. Public Meeting Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a presentation at 5:30 p.m., followed by Q&A session. Anchorage Loussac Library, 4th floor Learning Commons 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK 99503 All meeting materials will be available online for those who cannot make it in person to view at your own pace. Virtual Public Meeting Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a presentation starting at 5:00 p.m. Visit our website for more information. Comment Period September 22–October 22, 2026 Submit comments online at safersewardhighway.com; by phone at 907-802-3656; by email to info@safersewardhighway.com; or by mail to Safer Seward Highway, c/o HDR, 582 E 36th Avenue, Suite 500, Anchorage, AK 99503. 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 April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF. This project complies with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Executive Orders 11990 (Wetlands Protection) and 11988 (Floodplain Protection), the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act, and U.S. DOT Act Section 4(f). It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities DOT&PF that no one shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, regardless of the funding source, including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and State of Alaska funds. Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: https://dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml. To file a complaint, visit: https://dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/complaint.shtml If you require reasonable accommodation and/or special modifications to participate in this meeting, please contact the communications lead, Katherine Wood, at 907-644-2153. Please make your request at least 10 days before the accommodation is needed in order to make any necessary arrangements. To communicate by text telephone, dial TTY 711 or 1-800-770-8973.