(KODIAK) - Representative Dan Ogg (R-Kodiak) has received word from the Alaska Department of Transportation that three major road projects have been advertised and are scheduled to be opened on July 21, 2004.

The Chiniak Road rehabilitation, phase II of the Kodiak area wide guardrail project, and the Kodiak paving program went out to bid as one federally funded contract according to DOT officials. The engineer's cost estimate is between $5 million to $10 million for the completion of these three projects. This will be the largest contract let by DOT in recent memory for Kodiak.

The projects consist of erosion repair, geometric improvements, proper drainage structures, and ultimately the paving of over 40 lane miles of gravel roads. Other work details include several miles of new guardrail, new signage and striping. The areas to be upgraded are portions of the Chiniak Highway, the Pasagshak Road, Anton Larsen Road to the golf course, Monashka Bay Road, Abercrombie Drive, Lake View Drive and Sawmill Circle.

"I have been working diligently with DOT officials over the last two years to ensure these projects were funded," said Rep. Ogg. "I redoubled those efforts this year when I learned that federal aid money coming to Alaska was going to be several million dollars short of the original projected funding."

"Safe and reliable roads are at the cornerstone of economic development," said Ogg. "More importantly though, dependable roads are a critical element of the infrastructure needed to ensure that people get to work, acquire an education, obtain medical attention, and on Kodiak, improved roads gives greater access to some of the best fishing and hunting in Alaska."

Once bids have been opened, it should only take a few weeks to make an award. Optimistically construction could start as early as August for some parts of the various projects.

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