Seppala Drive Upgrades
(Project No. Z620030000/000S828)

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is planning to improve Seppala Drive in Nome.

This project would rehabilitate approximately 1.3 miles of Seppala Drive between Bering Street and Airport Terminal Road in Nome, Alaska.

Project Purpose & Scope

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve safety, extend the service life of the roadway, and reduce maintenance associated with degraded roadways and poor drainage.

The proposed work includes the following:

• Reconstruct and pave Seppala Drive from Bering Street to Airport Terminal Road, including select subgrade improvements.
• Replace and construct pedestrian improvements along Seppala Drive. Improvements may include sidewalk, widened shoulders, and/or a separated path.
• Repair sinkhole near F Street.
• Replace Dry Creek culverts.
• Regrade curve and cut slope between Belmont Street and Jafet Road to improve sight distance.
• Raise profile grade between Jafet Road and Center Creek Road to improve sight distance and turning movement.
• Install intersection lighting.
• Replace guardrail.
• Widen Seppala Drive to the north in order to accommodate pedestrian improvements west of Center Creek Road. Add slope protection to the south along the Snake River.
• Replace culvert west of Center Creek Road.
• Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition may be needed along the project corridor.
• Relocate or repair utilities impacted by the project.

Project Status

The DOT&PF finalizing the design phase for Seppala Drive Upgrades and working on ROW acquisition and environmental permitting. We anticipated bidding the project for construction in summer 2024, with construction work anticipated to begin in 2025. Completed reports and other relevant information can be found on the documents page.