Transportation Projects and Planning

The Denali Borough is partnering with Alaska DOT&PF on  executing design, engineering, and construction of a separated paths leading to and from the Tri-Valley School.

Visit Alaska DOT&PF's  Healy Area School Paths webpage for up-to-date project information and timelines.

The Denali Borough is partnering with Alaska DOT&PF on securing funding and executing design, engineering, and construction of segments of a separated path along the Parks Highway. Check out the full project vision and the status of funding for different segments of the Parks Highway Separated Path Project.

Current Project Underway: Design & Engineering for Two Path Segments

• Carlo Creek to Crabbies Crossing (MP 224-231)

• Antler Ridge Trailhead to Stampede Road (MP 245-251)

 
Project Funding:

The Denali Borough received $2.18 million in funding through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the federal FY23 appropriations bill for pedestrian pathways along the Parks Highway. The Denali Borough and Alaska DOT&PF have an agreement established where DOT&PF will perform the design and engineering work.   Denali Borough was recently awarded a Transportation Alternative Program award to fund the construction of the separated facility from Suntrana Road to the Antler Creek trailhead and parking area.   

 
Project Scope:

The CDS allocation will fund the design and engineering of separated nonmotorized pathways in the Denali Borough that have a "federal nexus". Separated path segments from the 2022 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study that connect local communities to Denali National Park recreation opportunities include Parks Highway Antler Ridge Parking Lot to Suntrana Road, Parks Highway Suntrana Road to Stampede Road, and Parks Highway Carlo Creek to Crabbies Crossing. Denali Borough plans on being the future maintenance entity of these paths, and winter maintenance of these paths (i.e., snow removal) is not anticipated.  Project Description: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) proposes to design separated paths at the following proposed locations in the Denali Borough: Parks Highway Antler Ridge Parking Lot to Suntrana Road, Parks Highway Suntrana to Stampede Road, and Parks Highway Carlo Creek to Crabbies Crossing. This work will encompass all environmental, permitting, design, and agency coordination required to complete Plans, Specifications & Engineer's Estimate (PS&E) sufficient to advertise for a construction contract. Work activities include drainage improvements (culverts and ditch grading and shaping), roadside hardware (signs and guardrail), potential utility relocation, and pedestrian intersection crossing improvements.   

Purpose and Need: 

Increasing visitation to the Denali Borough, due to the attraction of Denali National Park, translates to an increase in pedestrian tourists and seasonal workers who use this section of the Parks Highway. The community connector pathways would accommodate these visitors in a manner that sets them away from the roadway. This would improve the pedestrian experience and increase safety for pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Additionally, communities along the Parks Highway would have a safe trail system for recreation and transportation purposes. These separated pedestrian pathways would connect residential areas, community services and buildings, local businesses, seasonal restaurants and lodging, employee housing, and recreation opportunities.  Specific benefits include:

• Improve safety
• Improve mobility for all transportation modes
• Balance the needs of all users (includes local residents, visitors/ tourists, through travelers, freight, non-motorized, and recreational uses)
• Separate motorized and non-motorized uses where reasonable
• Accommodate increased recreation and tourism demands, in turn to support the economic vitality of the region
• Create a segment of the Alaska Long Trail, a 500-mile proposed continuous trail, through Denali Borough

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Alaska DOT&PF is conducting an aviation system planning study for airports serving the residents, visitors, agencies, and businesses of the Denali Borough. Project Information on the Denali Area Airport Planning Study (DAAPS) can be found on the Alaska DOT&PF Project Webpage. 

Alaska DOT&PF is conducting an aviation system planning study for airports serving the residents, visitors, agencies, and businesses of the Denali Borough. The DOT&PF is contracted with RESPEC Company, LLC (RESPEC; formerly PDC Engineers) to lead the consultant team, which includes DOWL, Uqaqti, Information Insights, Liebowitz-Horton, Dryden Industries, and Marshal Arts Design. We are Alaskans, planning for the future, together.

The Denali Area Airport Planning Study (DAAPS) is funded by an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and conducted in accordance with FAA policies, procedures, and guidance for Aviation System Planning (AC 150/5070-7 Change 1 ). The purpose of airport system planning is to assess the public-use airports, determine if they meet the needs of the area, and recommend future airport infrastructure investment that aligns with federal priorities and state and local objectives. This dynamic process depends on active participation from all stakeholders to gather accurate information, identify issues, address concerns, document needs, and explore alternatives.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Western Federal Lands (WFL) and the National Park Service (NPS), are working together to identify potential future transportation and access improvements along the Parks Highway corridor (mileposts [MP] 203 and 259) between Cantwell and Healy.

The Cantwell to Healy PEL Study Report was finalized in early 2022 and is available to view online through the Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities.

The purpose of the study is to provide a framework for implementing future transportation improvements. A PEL Study moves our ideas from the planning process directly into the environmental review process.

The Cantwell to Healy PEL Study Report was finalized in early 2022 and is available to view online through the Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities.