Haines Highway Improvements
Milepost 3.9 to 25.0 (Airport to Bluffs)

Z686060000 (Design and third phase of construction)

SFHWY00126 (First phase of construction)

SFHWY00171 (Second phase of construction)

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is proposing a project to upgrade the Haines Highway to current standards from Milepost (MP) 3.9 to 25.0. The Haines Highway, a designated Scenic Byway, connects the communities of Haines, Alaska and Haines Junction, Yukon Territory. This highway is one of two major highways out of the Southeast Alaska region, and is also an important piece of the international transportation system, as it connects the Alaska Marine Highway System in Haines with Canada.

The road, originally constructed in 1943, has been upgraded over the years, with the portion from the Bluffs (MP 25.0) to the Canadian border (MP 40) being the most recent. During this last upgrade the design speed for Haines Highway was designated as 55 mph in order to make the U.S. and Canadian highways consistent.

The goal of this project is to bring the last portion of the Haines Highway up to a 55 mph design standard by realigning, widening and straightening portions of the roadway. These upgrades would provide a safe, consistent and efficient roadway. DOT&PF is also planning to replace the existing Chilkat River Bridge, and is developing long-term solutions to debris flow problems near Mileposts 17, 19, and 23.

Construction has been taking place in three segments and is expected to last six-to-eight years. Construction of the first segment, from approximately MP 3.9-12.2, started in spring 2018 and was completed in 2020. Construction of segment two, from MP 12.2-20, began in 2020 and is ongoing. Construction of the final segment of the project, from MP 20-25, is expected to begin in fall 2024 and continue into 2026.

DOT&PF has completed the process of evaluating environmental impacts. An Environmental Assessment was released in July 2013 and a draft revised environmental assessment was released for public review and comment in October 2015. Many comments were received and considered.

 

The Final Revised Environmental Assessment (EA) is available

The public comment period is now closed.

Click here for the Final Revised EA, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and other project documents.

 

If you have questions about this project please click here for more contact info.

The Department will continue to post updates to this project website and the State’s Online Public Notice website.

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.