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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

CENTRAL REGION
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Seward Glenn Connection PEL Study

Final PEL Study Report

The Final PEL Report 52MB was published on August 13, 2026.

Study Description

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), Central Region, conducted a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to identify and evaluate options to improve safety, livability, regional travel between the Seward and Glenn Highways, local travel within the surrounding neighborhoods, and access between the Port of Alaska and the National and Interstate Highway Systems (NHS and IHS) network.

The study expanded on past work in the area to develop long-term solutions to safety, livability, congestion, access, connectivity, and freight needs. It resulted in an implementation plan that describes how the study recommendations can be phased, funded, and implemented, given competing statewide transportation priorities. Specific tasks included planning, environmental studies, traffic forecasting, travel demand modeling, development of a Purpose and Need Statement, alternatives development, cost estimating, implementation phasing, and public involvement.

Study Area

The study area generally followed Bragaw Street on the east, Northern Lights Boulevard on the south, C Street on the west, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on the north. It included areas where potential transportation improvements can be developed between the Glenn and Seward Highways, and to and from the Port of Alaska. The study area was broad enough to evaluate transportation safety, access, connectivity, and livability needs, as well as gauge how traffic levels on alternate routes could be affected.

Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study

The study was prepared as a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. PEL studies represent a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that consider environmental, community, and economic goals and impacts early in the transportation planning process. PEL studies utilize the information, analyses, and products developed during planning to inform the environmental review process.

The PEL Study process reduces duplication, shortens the project delivery timeline, and refines the level of effort for future environmental review processes.

The PEL Study process is an approach to transportation decision-making that helps:

  • Identify potential benefits and impacts on neighborhoods, the environment, and the economy early in the planning stage, making the recommended design projects more efficient and cost-effective.
  • Engage partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public to improve study awareness and build support through transparent and consistent communication.
  • Provide opportunities early and often for the public to provide input that shapes the study.
  • Narrow down the range of alternatives to carry into future environmental review, design, and construction project phases.
  • Produce better environmental outcomes.
  • Facilitate better decision-making.
  • Accelerate project delivery during subsequent environmental approvals.

Public Outreach

The PEL Study was successful only because there was meaningful and continued public involvement throughout the entire process. Diverse public involvement helped DOT&PF make decisions that met public needs and desires. The public utilized several opportunities to engage with the project team, including through the project email list, six public open houses, stakeholder committee meetings and workshops, pop-up public engagement booths, AMATS and MOA Assembly presentations, and the Public Outreach page.

Schedule

The PEL Study process began in June 2021 and concluded in August 2026. The dates shown in the original schedule graphic below may not reflect the actual dates.

image showing the project schedule

This planning document may be adopted in a subsequent environmental review process in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 168 Integration of Planning and Environmental Review.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.