The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) announced today that the Draft 2027‑2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is available for public review. The four‑year plan details how federally funded surface‑transportation dollars will be spent to keep Alaska’s highways, bridges, ferries, trails and transit systems safe and reliable.

Key priorities in the draft plan

DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson said the draft focuses on four main areas:

• Safety and rehabilitation – repairing aging highways and bridges, especially on National Highway System corridors.
• Frontier road development – expanding access to remote communities, natural‑resource sites, recreation areas and economic opportunities.
• Alaska Marine Highway System – investing in vessels, terminals and service enhancements to keep the ferry network strong.
• Transit and active‑transport options – supporting local transit, pedestrian and bicycle projects, as well as the Recreational Trails Program.

The draft also updates project budgets to reflect rising construction costs and protects work already underway. By balancing larger capital projects with smaller, construction‑ready initiatives, the plan aims to sustain Alaska’s workforce and ensure federal funds are used efficiently throughout the state.

How the public can weigh in

Public input is a critical component of the STIP process. The comment period runs for 45 days, from September 14 through October 29, 2026. Residents can explore the proposed projects and submit feedback through an online portal at dot.alaska.gov/links/pdp. Additional contact options include email, voicemail, text messaging (type “STIP”), TTY and traditional mail to the STIP Team in Anchorage.

Commissioner Anderson emphasized that community participation helps ensure transportation investments reflect local priorities and statewide needs. “Transportation is essential to Alaska’s people and economy,” he said. “This STIP invests in safer roads, reliable ferries, stronger highway corridors, and community access while responding to rising costs and sustaining a competitive contracting community.”

Next steps after the comment period

After the public comment window closes, DOT&PF will review all feedback, respond to comments and incorporate revisions as appropriate. The final 2027‑2030 STIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for federal approval.

Alaskans are encouraged to take advantage of the new, user‑friendly comment portal and share their perspectives on projects that affect daily life, from school routes to freight corridors. By engaging now, residents can help shape a transportation system that supports families, businesses and the broader community for years to come.

Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.