KAKE ACCESS PROJECT DRAFT PURPOSE AND NEED RELEASED FOR COMMENT
July 02, 2013
Preliminary alternatives to be considered include roads and shuttle ferries that would connect Kake with Petersburg. In 2012, the Alaska State Legislature appropriated $40 million in state funds to construct a new road between Kake and Petersburg. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) identified the need for more efficient access to and from Kake in its 2004 Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan. Kake, a town of approximately 550 residents, is located on the northwest coast of Kupreanof Island and is only accessible by plane, boat, or mainline ferry. Residents are restricted to twice-weekly mainline ferry service, scheduled air taxi service to Juneau and Sitka, and chartered aircraft service to Petersburg. It is the aim of the project to evaluate alternative transportation modes and routes to improve Kake’s access to commercial, medical, and regional transportation services available in other Southeast Alaska communities. The draft Purpose and Need Statement identifies the reason for the planning action and is the basis for the formulation of feasible alternatives that will be analyzed and considered in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Public comments on the Purpose and Need (pdf) will be accepted through August 5, 2013. During the comment period, project staff will hold listening posts in Kake on July 23rd from 5:30-7:30 pm (Kake City Hall, 264 Silver Spike Rd) and in Petersburg on July 24th from 4:00-6:00 pm (The Forest Service Conference Room in Petersburg, 12 North Nordic Drive). FHWA is requesting public and agency comments on the draft Purpose and Need statement pdf(), which will help identify suitable alternatives for improving access.
Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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