Public Comments
A public meeting was held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall. View the presentation slides here.

The purpose of the meeting was to present the current design for Section 2 of the project, discuss potential construction impacts to industry and traffic, and relay how project modifications were made based on input received from the public to date.

Below is a video presentation from the meeting.

Click the link, Public Comments and Responses, to view the public comments received and responses for the project. Personal information is redacted for those that requested their name not be associated with their comment. New comments will be added after April 7, 2024, the completion of the comment period. Questions can be directed to the DOT&PF Project Manager at greg.lockwood@alaska.gov.

Project Description

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in coordination with the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) and with support of the project from the National Park Service, is proposing to improve accessibility to the Sitka National Historical Park (SNHP) and downtown Sitka by constructing a Seawalk. The Sitka Seawalk Phase II project would also function as a wayfinding system and guide for visitor traffic and simultaneously provide opportunities for exercise and recreation.

The development of the Sitka Seawalk has been divided into two separate phases. Phase I of the Seawalk was completed in 2013 and extends from the SNHP boundary to the Harrigan Centennial Hall Visitor Center and the Sitka Public Library. Phase II would continue the Seawalk from the Sitka Public Library to the O’Connell Lightering Facility and on to Totem Square and Lincoln Street while maintaining the “look and feel” of Phase 1 and improving ADA accessibility of the existing facilities.

As shown on the project diagram below, Phase II has been broken down into three distinct sections. Sections 1 and 3 include improvements along existing sidewalks. Section 2 includes a new pedestrian pathway on top of a new riprap armored embankment extending around the south side (seaward side) of the O’Connell Bridge/Harbor Drive approach to the O’Connell Lightering Facility. Preliminary Plans for all three sections can be downloaded at the 05. 10.21.2022.Seawalk.Phase.2.Prelim.Design.Plans link below.

Sitka Seawalk Phase II
Figure 1: General Project Area and Approximate Alignment

*Section 3B (Previously labeled Section 3 Alternative)

*The word "Alternative" is being replaced within the project materials using the terminology Routes 3a and 3b to allow public input for the two options being considered for Section 3 under the O'Connell Bridge as required under the NEPA process.

Based on current funding agreements, Section 2 will be constructed first. Section 1 and Section 3 would be constructed when additional funding is obtained. The environmental process (NEPA) will include all three Sections.

Final design, permitting, and construction documents for Section 2 will be initiated after the environmental document is obtained for all three sections.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the State of Alaska (DOT&PF) dated April 13, 2023 and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.

Seawalk Related Sitka Planning Studies:

1997 Gateway Community Planning CBS _ SNHP.pdf

2002 NonMotorTransPcompletefile.pdf

2007 CBS Comprehensive Plan.pdf 2007 Sitka Visitor Industry Plan.1.pdf

2007 Sitka Visitor Industry Plan.1.pdf

2007 Sitka Visitor Industry Plan.2.pdf

2010 Pass. Fee Implementation Plan MRV Jones _ Jones.pdf

2012 Sitka_Outdoor_Rec_Action_Plan_FINAL_1-2-13_all-appendices.pdf

2014 AK Access Program Proposal FINALSea walk.pdf

2020.Seawalk.2 Scoping Report.pdf

2020.UPDATED.Seawalk.2 Scoping Report.pdf

2021.Federal Lands Access Program Sitka Seawalk Phase II Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).pdf