Message From DOT Regarding McCarthy Road Plans & Meetings In July, 2024

 

FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

JULY 17TH, 2024 

"I think I'll just walk, honey." The Kuskulana Bridge on the McCarthy Road. (Photo, Copper River Country Journal)  

Invitation to Public Open Houses 

Identifying Potential Solutions 

The McCarthy Road Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study team used public and stakeholder input gathered since last summer to understand the road corridor needs and opportunities. Now we are seeking public input on potential solutions for key focus areas and suggested enhancements for road corridor improvements.  

We hope you can come in person to provide input on: What improvement options would address the road corridor needs? What should be the priorities?   

Glennallen, Tuesday, July 30, 9am to 11am (Location: Copper River School District Office Conference Room, 1967 Aurora Drive, past the post office). A brief presentation will be given at 9:15am. 

Chitina, Tuesday, July 30, 6 to 8pm (Location: Chitina Community Hall, off the Edgerton Highway). A brief presentation will be given at 6:15pm. 

McCarthy, Wednesday, July 31, 6 to 8pm (Location: the new McCarthy EMS Hall). A brief presentation will be given at 6:15pm. 

Gone in late July? A month-long Online Open House will be available July 25 to August 25, which will be or linked from www.McCarthyRoadPEL.com.  

Study Recap 

Federal Highway Administration-Western Federal Lands (WFL) Highway Division, in partnership with the Alaska DOT&PF and the National Park Service are working together to conduct a Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for the McCarthy Road. This study will evaluate transportation-related needs and opportunities along the McCarthy Road, identify and evaluate potential improvements, and propose recommendations for future implementation. The PEL study will be completed by summer 2025.   

A tremendous amount of thoughtful feedback was received during first the online open house held last winter. A summary of the public comments about issues and needs we received can be found on the study website:

Online Open House Summary. This input as well as data collected since the start of the PEL Study is available from the “Documents” section of the website www.McCarthyRoadPEL.com. 

Please contact us with any comments or questions, and options or priorities for the study.

Seth English-Young, WFL project manager at seth.english-young@dot.gov or 360-619-7803 or Kim Wetzel, PEL Study Public Involvement Lead at kim.wetzel@jacobs.com or 907-440-1591. 

 

Planning products produced during this PEL study may be adopted or incorporated by reference during a subsequent environmental review process.