Press Release: DOT Traffic Engineer and Crews in Kodiak

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Sen. Alan Austerman
State Capitol, Room 417
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-2487
Fax: (907) 465-4956

Rep. Gary Stevens
State Capitol, Room 428
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-4925
Fax: (907) 465-3517

For Immediate Release:	July 30, 2001
Contact:	Senator Alan Austerman at (907) 486-8872 Representative Gary Stevens at (907) 486-4925

(KODIAK) -- Scott Thomas, traffic engineer for the Department of Transportation, met with local officials Thursday, July 26, to go over the scope of the department's work on guardrail needs assessment in Kodiak for the next few weeks. There are two crews that will be here the first three weeks of August undertaking a full study to identify and evaluate any "hot spots" that may need guardrails on the Kodiak road system and other highway issues.

Senator Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak/Southeast Islands) and Representative Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) met with David Eberle, Regional Director for the Central Region of the Department of Transportation and Regional Facilities in May and were told the field data collection and site reviews would occur this summer.

The goal is to first identify the critical areas early in the process so DOT can attempt to secure some construction funding for an initial project to install guardrails in the most critical areas next summer, Eberle said at the time.

Scott Thomas met with John Sullivan, City of Kodiak Public Works director; Bud Cassidy, Kodiak Island Borough Facilities Director; Suzanne Hancock, legislative aide to Senator Austerman; and Doug Letch, chief of staff for Representative Gary Stevens.

Thomas said the mission is primarily reconnaissance and then there will be a report on the preliminary findings. The Monashka Bay road was well engineered but areas have changed over time due to weather and natural conditions, and also standards on guardrails have also changed, he said.

In addition to the guardrail review, they are looking at areas of the Chiniak highway that may need to have the speed limit reduced and signs installed that will reflect the changes.

If funding is available construction could begin next summer, he said.

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