Cooper Landing Bypass: Sterling Highway Milepost 45-60 (Grant Overview)
Cooper Landing Bypass: Sterling Highway Milepost 45-60 (Grant Overview)
The Sterling Highway Milepost 45-60, also known as the Cooper Landing Bypass, aims to provide safe access to Cooper Landing, enhance recreational and commercial opportunities, and ensure smooth traffic flow to the southern Kenai Peninsula. Launched in 2020 and segmented into six phases, it's set for completion in 2029.
Phase 1B: Application to the 2023 MPDG Program
The MPDG grant applications pertains to Stage 1B, an ongoing part of the project. The total estimated cost of this highway project is over $600 million. Overall, the project reflects Alaska's goal for sustainable infrastructure and community growth. The State seeks positive consideration for its grant application.
MEGA: This stage of the project requires $131.0 million, with a federal request of $104.8 million. The state match is 20% amounting to $26.2 million.
INFRA: This stage of the project requires $131.0 million. The federal funding request is $119,170,700 and with Alaska's sliding scale match calculated at 9.03%, the state contribution amounts to $11,829,300.
Archaeological Component: Application to the 2024 RAISE Porgram
The RAISE grant application pertains to the Archaeological Component of the Sterling Highway MP 45-60 project.
The Sqilantnu Archaeological District is an area of significant cultural importance, known for its long history of use for daily life by different peoples, particularly centered around the rich salmon resource of the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers. Included in this budget are efforts to mitigate adverse effects on the Sqilantnu Archaeological District and other areas.
The agreement ensures a balance between construction needs and the preservation of historical and cultural resources by employing a variety of mitigation, monitoring, and reporting strategies. The involvement of qualified professionals and coordination with tribal and public entities helps ensure the cultural values and historical significance of the areas, like the Sqilantnu Archaeological District, are respected and preserved to the extent possible.
RAISE: The total project cost is $27,993,750. The federal funding request for RAISE funds is $25,000,000. Other Federal Funding of $2,723,415 will be provided, along with the state's match of $270,335.
Rebuilding America's Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program
RAISE is a discretionary grant program for investments in surface transportation infrasture that will have a significant local or regional impact.
Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grants Program (MPDG)
The MPDG program combines three funding opportunities: Mega, INFRA, and Rural. MPDG Rural grants supports projects that improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life.