Kotzebue to Cape Blossom Road
76844/NCPD-0002(204)

We are working on a project to construct a gravel road from Kotzebue, Alaska, south across the Baldwin Peninsula to a beach access area near Cape Blossom. The purpose of this project is to reduce freight costs for Kotzebue and the surrounding communities in the Northwest Arctic Borough (NWAB).

Kotzebue is the transportation hub and the largest of the 11 communities in the NWAB. Approximately 5,000 tons of freight is barged into Kotzebue each year, about 2,000 tons of which is transferred to NWAB villages. This freight includes semi-perishable goods, basic construction supplies, and vehicles such as cars and all-terrain vehicles, but does not include fuel or materials and supplies for capital projects.

The Cape Blossom Road is being designed for commercial freight transport and recreational uses with an estimated volume of 100 vehicles per day or less. It would be designed to adhere to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guidelines for Geometric Design of Very Low-Volume Local Roads. The AASHTO guidelines consider low-volume roads to be those with an average daily traffic volume of less than 400 vehicles.

The project includes construction of a two-lane gravel road approximately 11.2 miles long, with a road surface width of 24 feet and side slopes 3:1 or steeper. Turnouts with ramps down to the tundra would be constructed along the road near traditional trail crossings and potentially in other areas.

Project Status

The project team has completed the required environmental documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act. The initial Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact, as well as a 2017 EA Re-Evaluation outlining several minor design revisions, are available on the project documents page. All project permits, including USACE Section 404/10 and NWAB Title 9 Permit, have been completed and can also be found on the project documents page. All right-of-way interest for the project has been acquired, including easements from the USAF, BLM, KIC, and NRC.

The project is being constructed in two stages. Construction of Stage I was completed in 2024, and constructed the first half of the road beginning at Ted Stevens Way and ending at the northern banks of Sadie Creek. Stage II will complete the remainder of the road to Cape Blossom, including a new bridge over Sadie Creek. Stage II construction will be delivered through the CMGC procurement method. In Fall 2024, DOT selected Brice Inc., and KIC/Drake Joint Venture as the CMGC Contractor. DOT and the CMGC Contractor are actively working to advance the project to construction in 2025.

Left: Sadie Creek, Right:Road leading to the KEA wind turbine farm