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 Plans-in-Hand documents are now available for review. These plans are considered preliminary only and are approximately 50% completion level. Engineering design activities remain ongoing with an expected design completion and bid advertisement around September 2023 or later. A copy of the PIH 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 is beginning a preliminary Relocation Study and those property owners and residents potentially impacted by this project will be contacted directly by DOT&PF Right of Way representatives. DOT&PF intends to generally 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.

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Project Documents

• 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 November 3, 2017, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.