Seward Highway MP 25.5 to 36 Rehabilitation Project

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will rehabilitate 10.5 miles of the Seward Highway between the Trail River Bridge (MP 25.5) and the Sterling Wye (MP 36).

The Seward Highway is the only road that connects the communities of Moose Pass and Seward to the rest of the State, and is often used by other residents of Southcentral Alaska.

In most locations, the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour (mph). Through the community of Moose Pass, the highway has a posted speed limit of 35 mph. The roadway is constrained by several lakes (Tern Lake, Upper Trail Lake, and Lower Trail Lake), mountainous terrain, and the Alaska Railroad which parallels the roadway from approximately Lower Trail Lake to Upper Trail Lake.

Few improvements have been made to the portion of the Seward Highway from MP 25.5 to 36 since its initial construction in 1950, except for repairs after the 1964 earthquake and flooding events. The current highway includes two 12-foot travel lanes and shoulders of varying widths (from 2 to 6 feet).

Project Purpose

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve travel efficiency and safety along approximately 11 miles of the Seward Highway and to extend the service life of the facility. The Seward Highway is the primary land surface transportation link connecting the communities of Moose Pass and Seward to the rest of the state, thus providing a critical economic, cultural, and recreational link. The roadway currently exhibits rutted pavement, inadequate drainage, narrow shoulders, limited passing opportunities, and faded pavement markings. The proposed project would address these deficiencies.

Learn more about the project:

• 2022 Project Update and Open House Supplemental Video
• 2023 Project Update and Preliminary Plat Supplemental Video
• Fact Sheet NEW August 2024
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Review preliminary design posted to the Project Library

Project Features

The Seward Highway MP 25.5 to 36 Rehabilitation project is considered a “3R” project; it will resurface, restore, and rehabilitate the corridor, and by doing so improve the driving surface, and extend the service life of the roadway.  The roadway will be rehabilitated along the existing alignment, the existing pathway will be resurfaced, guardrail will be upgraded, site distance will be improved by clearing vegetation, and drainage conditions will be improved. The project will also include shoulder widening between MP 25.5 to MP 28.8, where there is neither a separated pathway nor shoulders wide enough to serve as shared use accommodations.

Project Update

Past Year

The DOT&PF continued to progress the project toward the next milestones. The department initiated steps necessary to obtain funding for ROW appraisals and acquisitions during the summer and fall of 2023, including an environmental reevaluation (a copy is available in the Project Library). The funding to proceed with ROW appraisals and acquisitions became available in the summer of 2024 after delays in the process. With funding in place, the department selected a consultant to assist with the ROW appraisal and acquisition process.

The department continues to progress the design toward the next review milestone and coordinate with utility companies.

Next Steps

ROW agents representing DOT&PF will notify impacted property owners of the projects' interest in their property and provide information on the appraisal process. Property owners will be invited to meet with appraisers onsite. After appraisals are prepared and independently reviewed, DOT&PF will submit an offer of just compensation to each impacted owner.  The offer will take into account the fair market value of the land to be acquired, plus damages to the remainder, and costs to relocate impacted structures, improvements, belongings, and businesses. DOT&PF will make every reasonable effort to reach agreement with property owners during negotiations with property owners. Additional information about DOT&PF's ROW Acquisition process can be found in this brochure: Acquiring Real Property for Federal/Federal-Aid Programs and Projects

Coordination with utility companies is also underway to identify impacts and work towards relocation plans and agreements.

The project team will continue to refine and finalize design during the ROW Acquisition and Utility Relocation processes.