Steese-Johonsen Expressway Intersection
PROJECT WEBSITE: http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/steese-johansen/
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
COMPLETE
COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
01/24/2020
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Surface Transportation
CATEGORY
Project Category
DOT Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Alaska
Description:
The traffic volumes within the Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway area are among the highest in the City of Fairbanks. The Johansen Expressway serves as a major thoroughfare for traffic moving east and west and provides a prominent link to developable lands, both north and south of the expressway. Historic data for the Johansen Expressway shows rapid growth within the last 20 years. Large tracts of property within and adjacent to Bentley Trust commercial property have experienced a rapid increase in commercial and residential development. Multiple large and small retail stores, as well as service-oriented businesses and a residential neighborhood have developed in this area, dramatically increasing traffic volumes. Future development plans will likely consist of business and residential land uses like those currently in the area. As development continues in the area, traffic volumes will continue to increase. The Steese Expressway in the project area serves as a principal arterial for traffic moving north and south between residential and commercial developments. It is also the only route to access the Dalton Highway and continue to the North Slope; therefore, it serves the trucking industry.
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Permitting Timetable
The permitting timetable below displays data as reported by agencies. Dates for Environmental Review and Permitting processes (Actions) that are in 'Paused' or 'Planned' status are subject to change and are not indicative of a project's final schedule.
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Action Information
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Environmental and Community Outcomes
The proposed action will have no physical or visual effect on prehistoric, historic or cultural resources, as there are no such resources in the project area.
The proposed actions would involve wetland impacts. The intersection itself would require filling in 0.04 acres of wetlands, comprised of an isolated wetland area south of Lazelle Road. In addition, the proposed action includes a snow dump and a drainage pond northwest of the intersection. These features will affect local hydrology, including providing additional hydrologic inputs to the open water pond and wetland fringe within the conservation easement.
The proposed action is unlikely to affect floodplains, flood flow, local waterways or water quality. The project falls partially within the mapped Chena Lakes Flood Control boundary, and the area has ‘reduced flood risk due to levee’. Drainage from the proposed improvements will not be directed via collector systems to either Isabella Creek, Noyes Slough or Chena River; rather, drainage will be designed to feed into and replenish the wetland complex northwest of the project area.
Construction of any of the proposed interchange alternatives would have a minimal effect on the social or economic environment in the area. The project itself is not anticipated to result in project-induced or project-related growth. Each interchange alternative would affect the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church at the southeast corner of the existing Steese-Jo intersection. This may require acquisition of the parcel and relocation of the facility to a new location. Any such relocation would be coordinated with the church’s management authorities and subject to Federal and State relocation regulations and guidelines, such as the Uniform Relocation Assistance Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (1970). Temporary effects during construction would include a small boost to the local economy due to construction purchases, employment and activity. Temporary and indirect effects may also include impacts to local businesses from access and traffic changes. The lack of demonstrable concentrations of lowincome or minority populations negates the possibility of any environmental justice concerns. There will be no disproportionate impact to minority or low-income population groups.
Construction would comply operationally with applicable local and state land use and transportation plans. The proposed action includes both motorized and multi-modal transportation improvements.