Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Support Efficient Gas Pipeline Construction Gas Pipeline Corridor Prudhoe Bay to Canadian Border

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Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Needed
to Support Efficient Gas Pipeline
ConstructionGas Pipeline Corridor Prudhoe Bay
to Canadian Border
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Gas pipeline construction different than TAPS

• Twice the population in Alaska
• Multi-billion-dollar tourism industry
• Higher background traffic
• More public and media scrutiny on safety
• Greater use of large modules
• Heavier pipe
• Buried construction, more earthwork truck loads
• More ports of entry
• More pavement at risk

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Why the industry should care

• Time and Efficiency Money
• DOTPF is advocating for State funds, not seeking
  user-funds
• Bad Roads slower gas line construction and
  increased costs
• Infrastructure projects will be training ground
  for trades needed for gas line
• Transportation investment reduces economic losses

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Why now?

• Only 6 construction seasons until gas line
  construction start
• Even with pipeline delays timelines flow
  together (transportation construction and
  pipeline construction)
• Too much work to be compressed into a 2 to 3 year
  construction window
• Bid ready projects save future inflation as well
  as maintenance costs by doing projects now
• Funding not identified
• Must start to identify funding and advocate for
  legislative support

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• Note
• 6 construction seasons 2010 2015
• Alaska construction season May Oct
• Pipeline constructionwinter only in permafrost
• Pipeline logistics start in earnest after project
  sanction
• DOT focus Dalton Hwy (common to all projects)
  and bridges on Alaska and Richardson Highways

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Program funding for transportation
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Program in support of pipeline activities

• Lots of needs funding not identified
• Current infrastructure WILL slow logistics for
  pipeline activities
• Everyone has a stake in efficient safe
  transportation
• Active support of DOT efforts in securing
  funding. Talk to legislators. Testify.
• When in Juneau Testify and support DOT in
  hearings
• 2 Billion in trans infrastructure needs
  identified

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Needs

• Upgrade bridges, highways, airports, material
  sites
• Weigh station bypass technology
• Will improve state and carriers efficiencies
• Safety features needed
• Truck pull outs to allow passing
• Module movements safety pull out areas at bridges
• More passing lanes
• Improve safety and drivability
• Width
• Alignment
• Grades
• Embankment
• Surfacing improvements

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Examples of major considerations
Problem?
Bridges
Smaller Loads More Loads Slower Speeds Increased
Logistics Safety Reduced More Time Money
Parks Hwy Dalton Hwy
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Key chokepoints

• Atigun Pass
• Yukon River Bridge
• Fairbanks, North Pole, Delta Junction
• Alaska Range and Thompson Pass
• Haines and Haines Highway
• Anchorage to Wasilla

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Dalton Hwy Corridor

• Scope
• Projects Along 415-Mile Dalton Hwy Corridor
• 24 Hwy projects
• 3 Airports
• 2 Bridges
• Cost
• 1 Billion (average)
• 167 Million per year for 6 Years

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Elliot Hwy Corridor

• Scope
• Projects along 73-mile segment
• 3 Hwy projects
• 1 Airport
• 1 Bridge
• Cost
• 100 Million

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Richardson Hwy Corridor

• Scope
• Projects Along 95-mile Corridor
• 15 Hwy projects
• 2 Bridges
• Cost
• 300 Million

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Alaska Hwy Corridor

• Scope
• Projects Along 200-mile Corridor
• 9 Hwy projects
• 2 Airports
• 9 Bridges
• Cost
• 600 Million

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Financial responsibility

• Federal highway funds tapped out
• Highway Trust Fund expenses gt revenues
• Federal highway funds cannot be diverted to
  gas pipeline
• Urban and other transportation modal needs are
  great
• This requires program funding
• DOT is advocating for state funding
• Requires support of industry and users

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DOT work to-date

• Key work identified (bridges, passing lanes,
  highway reconstruction)
• Full-time coordinator in place
• Federal funded projects underway
• GO Bond project underway
• Continued discussions with Legislature
• Working with T/C Alaska and Denali Project
• Highway Use Agreement discussions
• Project needs reviewed
• Statewide Infrastructure owners meeting
• Included communities/Alaska Railroad/ports that
  may be impacted/industry users

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Visible progress
2007 Elliott Highway New Washington Creek Bridge
and realignment
2007 Dalton Highway Grade heightening at MP 241
to 242 to alleviate snow drifting, and aufeis.
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lost if hauling through work zones
Construction Season
No highway construction along pipeline routes
Design, Permitting, ROW Project Bidding
2017
2018
2019
Pipeline Construction
Logistics Begin
Need Program Funding
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Take-aways

• Lots of needs funding not identified
• Current infrastructure WILL slow logistics for
  pipeline activities
• Support DOT efforts in securing funding
• Talk to legislators
• When in Juneau Testify and support DOT in
  hearings
• Program funding

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Thank you

• Contact
• Frank Richards, P.E.
• Deputy Commissioner
• Alaska DOTPF
• [phone]
• frank.richards_at_alaska.gov

Support Program funding for transportation
infrastructure for pipeline construction
Industry and citizens all benefit
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