MEMORANDUM

TO: Ron Long, Assembly President

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

FROM: Milli Martin, Assembly Member

COPY: Gary Davis, Roads Director

Kenai Peninsula Road Service Area Board

DATE: November 23, 2005

SUBJECT: Resolution 2005-103, Supporting the Sterling Highway Milepost 157-169 Reconstruction - Anchor Point to Baycrest Hill as part of the 2006-2008 State Transportation Improvement Program.

The draft STIP for the next funding cycle is being circulated by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT). This draft will include all projects recommended for federal funding from 2006 thru 2008. Several projects were included in the last STIP (2004-2006) that are not proposed in this new draft. One of them is the reconstruction of the Sterling Highway from mile 157 to mile 169. This stretch includes the very dangerous section at mile 158 and two intersections with borough roads. These roads intersect the highway on a blind hill and have been the site of several traffic accidents in the recent past, including 3 deaths and numerous serious injuries in the past 6 years according to the Homer police.

This section of road has been the subject of much discussion during the past year among residents of adjoining subdivisions. These people are concerned about the school children/bus safety issues as well as access to and from the subdivision roads on the blind hill. Gravel trucks from Anchor Point to Homer must speed up to make the hill without gearing down and then slowing down to very slow speeds. There is no question that health and safety issues are major concerns on this stretch of road.

This project is a must for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and we must send a strong message to DOT that it be added back into the STIP for funding as soon as possible.