Environmental Overview

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is dedicated to a transparent and robust environmental process for all federally funded transportation improvement projects, including the Glenn Highway: AA2PF project.

This project is looking at the section of the Glenn Highway between Arctic Avenue and Palmer-Fishhook Road where the highway leaves downtown Palmer and ascends the Matanuska River bluffs. The project’s key focus is improving safety. Roadway capacity evaluation is planned to meet current community needs as well as the future. More information about the DOT&PF’s environmental review process is available on the DOT&PF  Statewide Environmental Office’s website or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Environmental Review Toolkit.

AA2PF: Preparing an Environmental Assessment

Pursuant to 23 USC 327, DOT&PF is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in support of the AA2PF project to evaluate potential impacts to natural, cultural, and human environments. This includes assessing transportation needs, analyzing alternatives, and considering input for the public and key stakeholders to support informed decision making.

DOT&PF selected an EA as the Class of Action for the proposed project because the significance of environmental impacts anticipated to result from development of the project were not well understood. An EA is used to determine whether the environmental impacts are significant and if there will be a need for further analysis and documentation. An EA is a concise document that should briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining a Finding of No Significant Impact (40 CFR 1501.6) or whether an environmental impact statement (EIS) is warranted (40 CFR 1502). See EPM Chapter 4.

For more information, please visit the National Environmental Protection Policy Act: Environmental Assessment website.

What environmental work is underway for AA2PF?

Summer 2025 Update

We had our project launch at the March 2025 public meeting. Missed it? No worries. You can view the meeting materials under the Documents and Resources page. Since then, the project team has been full speed ahead on drafting up a purpose and need statement and working through possible alternatives. Another public meeting is anticipated for fall 2025!

As part of early planning and environmental review for the AA2PF project, DOT&PF is conducting archeological field surveys along the project corridor in August 2025.

Fieldwork will be completed under the Alaska Office of History and Archeology (OHA) Phase I and II survey guidelines. Survey methods include:

• Pedestrian Surveys: spaced no more than 10 meters apart within the DOT&PF right-of-way
• Hand-Excavated Shovel Test Pits (STP): small, hand-dug STPs will be 50×50 centimeters and up to 1 meter deep in select areas that will be filled immediately upon testing completion.
• Sediment Screening: using ¼-inch hardware mesh to meet OHA standards

Once surveying is complete, the areas will be returned to existing conditions. Most work will occur along public roads and in already disturbed areas. Personnel will not conduct investigation-related activities on private property without obtaining prior authorization from the landowner. No impacts to local traffic or businesses are expected. Field crews will carry contact cards and are available to answer questions during surveys. This work is to better understand the land’s history and help inform future project decisions.

What to know where the ROW is located? Check out the Matsu-Susitna Borough Parcel Viewer to find out!