State DOT shows Denali Borough separated-path designs, targets construction in 2027

The Alaska Department of Transportation laid out preliminary designs and a multi-year funding plan for separated pedestrian and bicycle paths through the Denali Borough on Oct. 8, telling the assembly the agency aims for construction bids in 2026 and an initial construction year of 2027.

DOT project manager Jenny Wright said the project is being delivered as segments so parts can be built as funding becomes available. “We’ve broken it up into more manageable bite-sized pieces,” Wright said, adding that one segment has construction funds (Transportation Alternatives Program) and other segments are in design and under memoranda of agreement with the borough.

The presentation described four main segments along the Parks Highway between Carlo Creek and Stampede Road, plus separate Healy-area school pathway projects on School Road, Centrana and Cole Street. Typical sections in the draft design show a 10-foot paved path with two-foot gravel shoulders (a 14-foot total corridor) on long sections; Wright said some short segments will remain gravel for maintenance reasons. For Healy Area School paths the design starts with 6-foot sidewalks and DOT is evaluating widening to 8 feet where right-of-way allows.

Why it matters: separated paths would remove pedestrians and children traveling to schools from highway shoulders and heavy roadside use, addressing long-standing safety concerns raised by parents, schools and borough staff. Several segments already have partnerships or partial construction funding; completing designs ahead of grant applications will make the borough more competitive for federal construction funds.

Key details - Design and schedule: DOT expects to finalize environmental review this winter and complete final design in 2026; stated construction target for at least one segment is 2027. - Typical cross-section: DOT’s draft shows a 10-foot paved trail with 2-foot gravel shoulders; some short segments would be gravel to match Park Service trails or ease maintenance. - Major nodes: planned connections include Antler Creek parking lot, Suntrona Avenue, ties into planned Park Service trailwork near Riley Creek, and two standalone pedestrian bridges over Dry Creek in a northern segment. - Maintenance: Wright said the borough would assume ongoing maintenance when segments are completed; DOT will design to reduce maintenance burden and will leave some segments as gravel for easier upkeep. - User rules: paths are intended for nonmotorized use and will be signed accordingly; DOT acknowledged ATVs and snowmachines currently use some corridor areas and said designs will try to reduce conflicts and provide crossings and aprons where four-wheelers cross the path.

Local reaction and outreach Denali Borough Community Development Director Stephanie Ford told the assembly DOT and borough staff are holding in-person open houses and an online open house through Oct. 31 to gather feedback. Ford said DOT held a well-attended open house at the Tri-Valley Community Library and will host another at McKinley Park Community Center; draft plan maps and a survey are available on borough and DOT project websites.

Concerns raised by Assembly members and residents at the meeting included ATV and snowmachine conflicts on nonmotorized paths, the potential for physical barriers at bridge crossings, and how crossings near driveways and commercial areas should be handled in Healy (for example near the post office and the gas/convenience area). Wright said design details such as physical bollards or other deterrents can be considered but will be decided during final design if community feedback supports them.

Next steps DOT will incorporate public comments from the in-person and online open houses into the environmental review and final design work this winter. The borough and DOT plan to seek construction grants (including FLAP and TAP) once final designs and environmental documents are complete. For more information DOT provided an online open-house link and a contact number for Wright.