New as of March 2012 -Draft Reconnaissance Report

Ketchikan - Shelter Cove Roadlogo

Project No. 68405

The proposed project would extend the Ketchikan Road system from the end of Revilla Road near Lake Harriet Hunt to Shelter Cove on Carroll Inlet. Four main alternative routes are under consideration. Project Area Key MapPDF icon(202 KB)

Project Background

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) began a preliminary reconnaissance study in the spring of 2007 that examined the proposal to expand road access in the Ketchikan area between Shelter Cove on Carroll Inlet and Lake Harriet Hunt. In November 2008, statewide Alaska voters approved a Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond that included $10 million for the construction of a 14‘ single lane rock and gravel road between Lake Harriet Hunt and Shelter Cove, connecting these two road systems on Revilla Island.

Project Purpose and Need

The proposed project’s preliminary purpose is to provide vehicle access to Shelter Cove and the public and private lands in between Lake Harriet Hunt and Shelter Cove. This would increase the public’s opportunities for recreation, subsistence hunting and gathering, tourism, and economic development consistent with the public land use plans and policies. Road access to public lands is limited in the Ketchikan area. The results of a household survey recently conducted in Ketchikan identified an unmet need for access to recreational and subsistence-related activities in the lands surrounding the proposed Shelter Cove road. In the 2004 Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan (SATP), DOT&PF identified a possible link between Southeast Alaska and the Canadian highway system at the Cassiar Highway. That proposed link included a Revillagigedo Highway, a portion of which is between Lake Harriet Hunt and Shelter Cove. That plan is being updated, but the 2004 version is still the approved transportation plan for Southeast Alaska.

Alternatives Considered

Map of All Alternatives ConsideredPDF icon(2.55 MB)

In 2005, Section 4407 of Public Law 109-59 allowed the US Forest Service (USFS) and the State of Alaska to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, granting a recorded reciprocal easement from the end of the Ward Lake Road (Revilla Road) near Lake Harriet Hunt to Shelter Cove. This easement is Alternative I of the four alternatives under consideration. Other alternatives could use portions of this easement combined with new construction and/or connect and upgrade existing logging road systems, as feasible.

Project Status

There will be public meetings in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly Chambers Tuesday March 6th from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss highlights of the DRAFT Reconnaissance Report recently released.  The public is encouraged to attend and provide comment.  The deadline for receiving public comment is Friday March 23rd.  However, comments are still welcome throughout project development.  After receiving and analyzing further comments, the Department will begin the environmental review as soon as possible.  Further public input will be sought during that process.

[Click here to make a comment]. Links to additional documents are available under the project information tab.