A & C Streets Corridor Study (Grant Overview)
A & C Streets Corridor Study (Grant Overview)
The DOT&PF is applying for a grant from the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program to develop a corridor plan for one of Anchorage, Alaska's most frequently used corridors.
2023 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Planning Grant for BOTH the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) and the Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) :
- Total Project: $700,000
- State Match:$140,000
- Federal Request $560,000
About the Corridor:
The A & C Streets couplet stands out as one of the most frequented routes in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2022, the AADTs for various segments ranged from 12,830 to 25,200. This corridor is essential for both inter-city mobility and granting access to numerous local, residential, and commercial hubs. In several zones, the current right of way has reached its capacity, yet the demand continues to surge. A well-executed corridor plan is paramount to ensure the corridor operates efficiently for all its users and augments the functionality of the entire arterial transportation system, catering to neighborhood requirements and aspirations.
Project Objectives:
The primary aim is to discover methodologies to enhance access to everyday necessities and reintegrate communities. This will involve pinpointing avenues to alleviate obstructions and hardships that hinder community interconnectivity.
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Alignment with Local Policies:
The project will be in strict adherence to the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS MPO) Complete Streets Policy. The fundamental guidelines dictate:
- A context-sensitive approach, taking into account economic, social, and environmental goals.
- An emphasis on comprehensive facility connectivity for all transportation modalities.
- A focus on both the availability and the safety & comfort levels a facility offers for all intended traffic, rooted in national statistics for cyclists and pedestrians.
- A comprehensive planning and design strategy for the entire right of way, ensuring safe access for all users, irrespective of age or ability. Every mode of transport should be deemed worthy of secure travel facilities.
- An equitable distribution of benefits to all users, with particular attention to vulnerable groups and historically underinvested and underserved communities.
Initiating the Corridor Plan:
The commencement of the corridor plan will involve a meticulous analysis, delineating the corridor's features, potential developments, impacts, and avenues for diminishing barriers and constraints on the community. Leveraging this data, suitable corridor projects and strategies will be outlined in alignment with the area's objectives. It is also advised to institute progress tracking and evaluation mechanisms to gauge the success of the plan's actualization.
Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program
This grant combines two programs, the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) and Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE). The combined program is known as the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program. While they remain separate programs for the purposes of award, the programs share many common characteristics, including:
- Prioritizing disadvantaged communities;
- Aiming to improve access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, and recreation;
- Fostering equitable development and restoration;
- Reconnecting communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.
