Public works committee asks staff to refine Main Street plan with 9-foot shared-use path

The Skagway Municipality Public Works Committee voted Tuesday to ask staff to prepare a refined Main Street rehabilitation design that centers on a 9-foot mixed-use asphalt path with no separate sidewalk and to present Concept 4B as a less intensive alternative to the full assembly. The request passed on a voice vote after committee discussion and public comment.

The action follows a staff presentation that outlined four design concepts and a packet of survey results assembled by municipal staff. Tyson, the project presenter, told the committee the driving need for any rebuild is failing subsurface infrastructure — sewer, storm drains and the road subbase — and that those underground costs will be incurred regardless of surface layout. "We're not trying to redo Main Street just to get a bike or, you know, shared use path or bike path," Tyson said. "We've got failing infrastructure, subsurface infrastructure. That's what's driving the project."

Rebecca, who compiled the public survey, told the committee the outreach returned roughly 75–76 responses (a level she said is not statistically significant for the municipality) and that about 30% of respondents live on Main Street. Survey respondents prioritized safety and accessibility; many favored a single shared-use path if it would not reduce lane widths or parking. "There's strong support for incorporating a shared use path provided it doesn't reduce any lane widths or parking," Rebecca said, adding the municipality also submitted a request for congressionally directed spending through Sen. Murkowski's office and has been discussing state funding options.

During public comment, Skagway resident Wendy Anderson urged the committee to prioritize walkability and safety on Main Street, emphasizing that narrow sidewalks force strollers and children into the street. "My top priority is creating a walkable and bikeable street for Main Street," Anderson said, describing a crosswalk north of the school that leads to a curb and limited accessibility.

Committee members discussed tradeoffs among the concepts. Concept 1 and 2 would use the full 60-foot right-of-way and place bike lanes adjacent to traffic and parking; some members expressed safety concerns about bike lanes located between parked cars and moving traffic. Concept 3 would use the full right-of-way and include a multi-use path separated from traffic; Concept 4A and 4B are closer to the existing layout and use less of the right-of-way, with 4B widening certain segments by about 4 feet.

On costs, staff presented a comparison showing roughly $11 million in baseline underground work that would not change between concepts and total concept estimates in the roughly $38.9 million range; staff also noted Concept 3 could save approximately $1 million if the raised shared-use path used asphalt rather than concrete. Rebecca said a standalone rough-order-of-magnitude estimate for the school parking lot was just over $1.1 million.

The committee asked staff to return with: a detailed design for Concept 3 showing a 9-foot mixed-use asphalt path (no separate sidewalk); a comparison version of Concept 4B as an alternative; and adjusted cost estimates reflecting asphalt versus concrete choices. Tyson noted that specific design details are needed before the municipality can reliably pursue grant programs tied to pedestrian-safety features.

Rebecca said the municipality is pursuing multiple funding avenues, including a congressionally directed spending request, discussions with the state Department of Transportation and low-interest loans; she cautioned that many grants require data demonstrating safety need. Staff estimated a likely design and funding timeline that could make breaking ground possible in the 2027–2028 timeframe if financing is secured.

The committee's request will be forwarded to the full assembly for consideration. No formal funding commitment was made at the committee level; members emphasized funding remains the major barrier to moving the project into design.

The committee adjourned after approving the staff request. The assembly is expected to receive the two concept options for further review.