The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proposing to replace the Sayles/Gorge Street Viaduct bridge structure west of downtown Ketchikan, Alaska to retain safe access to the adjacent residences and streets. The existing Sayles/Gorge Viaduct (#1841) is owned by the City of Ketchikan and presently in poor condition.

Project Description

The Sayles/Gorge Viaduct Improvement project will replace the existing 'L' shaped trestle at the intersection of Sayles and Gorge Streets with a new 'L' shaped concrete deck bridge supported by a steel frame substructure and associated concrete supports. The project would also rebuild a pedestrian staircase from near the Sayles/Gorge intersection to Water Street below and replace utilities, modify drainage, modify adjacent retaining walls and improve other pedestrian facilities as needed. The project is being administered/designed DOT&PF and is funded by the Federal transportation programs. The City of Ketchikan is providing local matching funds and will retain ownership, operation and maintenance of this bridge structure.

Project Update

The PS&E documents are available for review. These plans are considered preliminary only and are approximately 90% complete. Engineering design activities remain ongoing with an expected design completion and bid advertisement anticipated by spring of 2024. A copy of the PS&E level design documents can be found below.

Construction

Site work is anticipated to start in spring or summer of 2024. Disruptions and lack of access can be expected for an 8-12 month period.

There would be temporary impacts over the course of construction, including noise from minor pile driving, rock drilling, cranes and truck noise. The trestle would be closed for the majority of the site work. DOT&PF intends to provide access to all nearby residences. However, the trestle will be closed to through traffic for a majority of the field construction activities. Additional details concerning traffic restrictions will be forthcoming prior to bid advertisement and field construction activities.

Government agencies sometimes need to acquire additional property rights for public projects. The Uniform Act (49 CFR Part 24) is used to assure equitable treatment to property owners and that just compensation is provided for any additional property rights. The Right of Way section will reach out directly to any property owners whose property, or a portion of property, is necessary for the construction of the project. The Right of Way Acquisitions Brochure explains the rights and benefits of property owners whose real property is to be acquired.

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Project Documents

• PS&E - September 2023

• Plans in Hand - February 2023

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Project Contacts

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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.