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Notice of Intent to Begin Engineering and Environmental Studies and Request for Public Comment - Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive Roundabout (CMAQ)

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) plans to replace the T-shaped intersection at Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive in Fairbanks with a single-lane roundabout. The agency is starting engineering and environmental studies and wants public comments, especially about historic sites, archaeological sites, wetlands and floodplains in the area. Comments are due by November 9, 2026, and construction is planned for summer 2028.

Why was this notice issued?

DOT&PF is beginning engineering and environmental studies for a proposed road project and is asking for public input as part of its federal environmental review. Federal Executive Orders (EO) on wetlands (EO 11990), cultural resources (EO 11593), floodplain management (EO 11988) and invasive species (EO 13112, as amended by 13751) apply. DOT&PF carries out the federal environmental review under 23 U.S.C. 327 and an April 13, 2023 agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

What action is being taken?

DOT&PF proposes to build a single-lane roundabout at the Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive intersection in Fairbanks to improve safety, drainage and air quality and to reduce wait times for turning traffic. The project would replace lighting, update signs and signals, improve drainage and parking, and extend a walking path across the intersection and along the north side of Sheep Creek Road to Gold Hill Road to connect with a planned trail network. Material sites are expected to be provided by the contractor. The project is funded under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, project number NFHWY00902/0002(549).

Who is involved: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), Northern Region; Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); drivers, residents and trail users near Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive in Fairbanks

How can the public respond?

Respond by Mon, Nov 9, 2026 Due tomorrow.

“by November 9th, 2026”

Ways to respond

  • Email ethan.graetz@alaska.gov
  • Mail Ethan Graetz, P.E., Engineering Manager, 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks AK 99709-5316
  • Phone (907) 451-2281; Text Telephone (TDD): 771 or 1-800-770-8973

What to include

DOT&PF asks for information and comments on resources in the project area that may be affected, including historic properties, archaeological sites, wetlands, and floodplain encroachment. Project details are at https://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/sheepcreek-tanana/. Referencing the project name (Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive Roundabout) or number NFHWY00902/0002(549) may help identify your comment.

Contact

Ethan Graetz, P.E., Engineering Manager
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
ethan.graetz@alaska.gov
(907) 451-2281; TDD: 771 or 1-800-770-8973
2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks AK 99709-5316

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

  • Sep 29, 2026: Notice published
  • Nov 9, 2026: Deadline to submit public comments

Original notice text

State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Notice to Being Engineering and Environmental Studies/Request for Public Comments Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive Roundabout (CMAQ) NFHWY00902/0002(549) The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) proposes to construct a single-lane roundabout at the Sheep Creek Road and West Tanana Drive (from here on referred to as, Sheep Creek Rd and W Tanana Dr) intersection in Fairbanks, Alaska. The project is located in Township 1 South, Range 2 West, and Section 1 of the Fairbanks Meridian. The purpose of this project is to improve safety, drainage, air quality, and reduce wait times for turning traffic movements at this intersection. To accomplish this purpose, the existing tee intersection would be replaced with a single-lane roundabout. Proposed project elements include: • Replace illumination around the intersection • Update roadside hardware to include signing, signalization and illumination. • Improve drainage in and around the intersection • Improve parking facilities near the intersection • Connect existing recreation trails systems with future trail network planned for the Gold Hill Rd area by extending walking path across intersection and along the north side of Sheep Creek Rd to Gold Hill Rd Material sites for this project are expected to be contractor furnished. We are currently working on conceptual designs, engineering, and environmental studies, as well as soliciting public comments. Construction is currently planned for summer 2028. View the project website here: https://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/sheepcreek-tanana/ DOT&PF requests information and comments on resources in the project area that may be affected including historic properties, archaeological sites, wetlands, and floodplain encroachment. The following Executive Orders (EO) apply: EO 11990, Notice of Wetland Involvement EO 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment EO 11988, Floodplain Management EO 13112, Invasive Species, as amended by 13751 Please submit comments by November 9th, 2026 to: Ethan Graetz, P.E. Engineering Manager 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks AK 99709-5316 Telephone: (907) 451-2281 Text Telephone (TDD): 771 or 1-800-770-8973 Email: ethan.graetz@alaska.gov The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by the applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the 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. It is the policy of 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: dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml. To file a complaint, visit dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/titlevi.shtml.

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.