The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is seeking comments on a proposal to construct a new bridge over the Snake River in Nome, Alaska (Figure 1). The project would be funded by the State of Alaska. The level of environmental document expected for the proposed project is a State Projects Environmental Checklist.
Project Background 
The existing bridge over the Snake River is located immediately south of runway 10/28 of the Nome Airport, and less than a mile northwest of downtown Nome (Figures 1 and Figure 2). The bridge provides the only access point to the Port of Nome causeway, bulk fuel tank farms, the Nome Joint Utility System (NJUS) power plant, telecommunication satellites/dishes, the U.S. Post Office distribution center, DOT&PF storage, and many local businesses (Figure 2). It also serves as a utility corridor with lines mounted on the underside of the bridge.
Purpose and Need
In recent years the existing Snake River Bridge (Figure 2) has experienced significant deterioration, which has resulted in closures of the bridge while repairs were made. Structural damage occurred in the spring of 2002 and continual partial failures of the wooden bridge abutments have persisted since then, and warrant the construction of a new, structurally sound bridge.
The volume and type of traffic that frequently use the existing bridge, as well as plans for future uses necessitate the construction of a new bridge over the Snake River. In addition, the absence of any other bridges across the Snake River to access the areas noted in the Project Background make the new bridge construction highly important for transportation and commerce in the area.
Proposed Project Description
The new bridge would likely be a 318’ x 35’, three span, bulb-tee girder bridge, with a deck height of 21.3’, similar to the one shown on Figure 3. The new bridge would be wider, with an asphalt paved treatment driving surface. The current bridge design is preliminary and may need to be adjusted based on the findings of a currently ongoing hydrology and hydraulics evaluation.
Construction of the new bridge would require the partial realignment of Seppala Drive in order to maintain sufficient approaches to the bridge (Figure 2), and a new road alignment to connect with Port Road on the west side of the river and Cemetery Road on the east side of the river (Figure 2).
Barricades would be placed on the old bridge to keep traffic off of it once the new bridge is open to traffic. The current funding does not allow removal of the existing bridge.
Right of Way (ROW) acquisitions would be necessary for the roadway realignment portions of this project (Figure 2). Further investigation into the extent of the necessary ROW acquisitions would occur before construction begins.
Material Site
Material for the project would be contractor furnished and likely come from commercially available material sources in the Nome area.
Preliminary Research Results
Preliminary research results on environmental resources in the project area are described in Appendix A. A project website has been set up at www.pdcprojects.info to provide project information and to allow you a convenient means to submit any comments.
In addition to identifying any concerns, and/or issues your agency might have with the proposed project, the links on the project website request agency-specific information. The website will take you to a list of questions specific to your agency’s purview and allow you to provide comments via email.
Your comments will assist us in evaluating possible impacts related to the project. To ensure that all factors are considered in the State Projects Environmental Checklist, please send your comments by July 15, 2009. If you have questions regarding the project, you may contact Richard Stumpf, P.E., Engineering Manager, by telephone at 907-451-2285 or by email to
rj.stumpf@alaska.gov .
Thank you for your assistance with this project.
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