Comments 201-239 - January 2004
Thanks to all members of the public interested in the Abbott Loop Extension Project. The comments are unedited except to remove personal information such as the name of the person commenting. These comments were received via mail, fax, email, at the public meeting held September 15, and telephone. Although the comment period for the Scoping Summary Report ended October 15, 2003, we will still accept comments after this date for the Environmental document.
201 This project is premature and should not be built. We (Anchorage) have not put much effort into creating and promoting public transportation or other alternatives to cars. This should be done first. Lack of feasible alternatives cause most "involved" teenagers to purchase and use cars to attend sports practices, get to and from work, etc. If we take these cars and others off roads, we would not need this project. Give us bike paths, more bus routes, etc.
202 I am strongly opposed to this project. Increased traffic will turn Abbott Loop into another Lake Otis Pkwy, which will negatively change the overall appeal of the neighborhood and property values. The increased traffic and accessibility can also increase crime and violence. Has any consideration given to this? In regards to traffic noise, a few buffering trees are not enough, consideration should be given to fences and evergreen trees that will have buffering capabilities year round. If this project does go through, provisions should be made to make the extension flow naturally into the Dowling Road extension with an exit off to Abbott Loop. This will give traffic heading to the New Seward Highway an option to bypass the Lake Otis/Tudor intersection, divert it through a commercial district instead of creating congestion in a residential area. This project will not alleviate traffic problems, it will just move them into a quiet residential area. The only reason we have funding for this project is because this was one of our legislatures pet projects that though it might get him re-elected, and he lumped this controversial project in with other desirable projects statewide. Mr. Donely did not get re-elected.If this project does go through, all of Abbott Loop needs to be upgraded with bike paths on both sides, buffering fences and evergreen trees.My driveway also enters onto Abbott Loop. It is hard enough now to pull out now, how will it be when traffic triples?Statics indicated 30-40% growth on the Hillside/Abbott Loop area. How can this be if the area is already 80% built up now.
203 Not in favor of any alternatives, however if the municipality and DOTPF moves forward consider: · Traffic light at Abbott Loop Road and Coventry due to added park-ballpark traffic.· Noise abatement walls like C Street and Dimond to near Fish and Game.· Consider bike path to connect to 68th and Abbott Road.· Traffic not to exceed 35-40 mph.· Consider 35 mph speed bumps for summer on Abbott Loop Road.· EIS report to public.
204 I would love to see this proj. stoped as I think will not help Lake Otis and Tudor.I live in Aboot Loop Rd and would love to see a sound fence with landscape. Do not light up the whole three miles just where needed by Lorel and ball park.
205 I and my wife live at …. Our lot is at the crest of the hill on Abbott Loop. When you design the road several things will happen. You will cut the hill down and slope to our property line. There won't be any noise abatement left. I would very much like to know, ASAP what will be done to resolve that.
206 I am a lifelong Alaskan and Anchoragite. I live in Muldoon and work at the airport. I prefer a longer commute rather than paving more parkland. But if you build it, please include bike lanes and multi-use trails.
207 Alternative B is my current choice. I think bridge C for the northern portion is the best choice. The pedestrian amenities are important, as is the landscaping. Please expand Abbott Loop roadway on east rather than west side.
208 Trails and access to trails is a vital aspect of the quality of life in Anchorage. The dog mushing and multiple user trails should not be diminished. Grade separation is needed. Tunnels are feasible but maintenance must be addressed. Filling a tunnel with snow is a big deal for a volunteer based organization but is insignificant to the cost of the road or maintenance of the road. Funding for trail maintenance should be tied to road maintenance.Access to the Abbott Loop Community Park should be evaluated. A pedestrian/equestrian bridge may be needed.
209 I am concerned that once a large road system such as this is implemented, the ease with which development can occur will make the area a prime target for high density housing development. The need for wild, natural, open spaces in the Anchorage Bowl is critical to continue the enticement of economic development. People choose to move and live in Anchorage in part due to the quality of life found here. Outdoor activity is an essential part of that quality. What have you put into place to mitigate increased development of surrounding parklands? "Highly unlikely" is not severe enough.
210 I live near Abbott Loop Road and 80th Avenue. I appreciate the need for improvements to Abbott Loop Road. Please consider providing a min. of 4' of shoulder for bicycle traffic (commuting). Also consider shifting the roadway toward the east as far as possible to mitigate impacts to adjacent neighborhoods. I would also like to see the multi-use trail with at least 12' of separation form the roadway to allow trees to be planted. I generally support Option B- while incorporating the above concerns.DOWL did an excellent job with the open house presentation. They are prepared professional people.
211 I feel this project is only an attempt at solving our traffic congestion in our fine city. I believe that more overpasses or clover leafs would be a better way to solve our traffic problem, which would make our thoroughfares like a flowing stream!I also feel that my comments will be somewhat in vane! I live off of Abbott Loop on the intersection of Abbott Loop and Jupiter. So I guess my main concern is how will it affect the quality of our lives, caused from noise, pollution, safety to my son, my dog as it would also affect my neighbors in the same way. So I wonder what will be done, ie: fences, earth berms, trees.
212 I believe the impact on traffic between Abbott Loop and Lake Otis on Abbott is not adequately addressed. The traffic will be significantly increased and expansion to 4 lanes is necessary. I have great concern that access to Abbott from private driveways and side streets, already dangerous during rush hour, will bet worse.Please- plan ahead on this problem.
213 I think some artistic design should go into the bridges. Something that would be photogenic and blend with the environment.
214 Alternative "A"- no build without federal funding.Federal highway funding. Why are we not utilizing the federal dollars that would pay for 80-90% of the cost of this project. Do you think the roters would appreciate a choice to pursue this avenue?
215 1. Provide elevation coordination/flexibility for any future administrations southward expansion down to Rabbit Creek. Also interfaces at existing intersecting roads at existing project scope interfaces.2. HLB land could be zoned parkland to preclude additional development not envisioned (at this time) along this roadway.3. Sunday 1-4-04 comment about splitting parkland. Consideration of HLB and parkland trade.
216 A carpool lane on Tudor going E/W from east of the Native Hospital through the new Seward on-ramp would evaluate much of the problem. Add and connect bike paths.If you aren't going to widen Dowling- don't bother with extension. It will only spread the wait in traffic. Also- make more conservative efforts regarding fish and wildlife flow.
217 · The continuous bike trail as planned on the east side is essential to allow continuous bike and pedestrian access.· The shorter bridge option is best (all that's needed) so that improvements all the way to Abbott can be completed. The existing section of Abbott (from 68th to Dimond) needs to be widened for safety purposes and to install/build a bike trail. A 900' bridge is overkill.· Continuous bike trail access from Dimond/Abbot to Tudor is essential to access the University, baseball fields, schools, etc. by non-vehicular means.
218 It's time to eliveate the congestion at Lake Otis and Tudor. The traffic problem is only going to get worse. An extension at Bragaw Street makes sense and is a logical route. Let's put some money where it will do some good instead of building bridges in the wilderness near Copper River.A road in nature can exist without harming the environment too much. How many moose cross the Glenn everyday?City by-passes are not uncommon. It is time Anchorage changes it's road system to keep up with the city's growth.
219 This project should have been constructed 10 years ago!
220 I am very much in favor of this projected extension and upgrade of Abbot Loop as it would greatly reduce traffic congestion on my commute. I drive Lake Otis to 15th and this project would help imensley.
221 ISome form of this projects is necessary for smooth traffic flow. Massive reconstruction is probably not a good idea unless roads to the north and south of the project area are improved also. The possibility of needing just that in the future should not be ignored. Preservation of natural habitat and outdoor useage is definitely a good thing but this is a city and Anchorage must provide a sensible traffic grid not only for commuters but also for police, fire, and emergency medical access.Make minimal changes to existing roads and bridge the entire wetland area. Construct trails for pedestrians and bike/ski separated from the roadway.
222 1) I encourage Mayor Begich to use all the federal funds available for trail development and to support federal rules as sovereign (ignore SB71). 2) Consider the cumulative impacts of connecting Dowling, Boniface to Abbot Loop. I believe the estimated user days on Abbot are low as projected.3) The curve design at Dowling appears dangerous. This project should include the design extension of Dowling as completed. For only 1,200' it should be constructed with this project. 4) Build this project for all season bicycle commuting. Commuter lane and commuter bridge lane.5) I prefer alternative D, with the longer 1200 ft bridge crossings to protect anadromous fish and protect wildlife habitat corridors.6) Turn lanes needed at the new ball field entrance.7) Protect the dog mushing and skijor trails.8) The environmental analysis and hydrology modeling should be for at least a 100 yr. flood plain model.9) Does the road need to be so straight? Adding more curve and aesthetic design would improve the acceptance of the project. And slow down traffic.10) Alt. E. damages winter routes for skiers and dogs.11) Has the old military dump site/storage grounds been analysed? And is potential clean up cost included in the analysis?12) Emergency evacuation of hillside may require development of a larger road than residential landowners desire.13) Consider safe routes to the schools. Overpasses or undertunnels and an interconnected trail system.
223 I was disappointed in the information available at the open house. None of the traffic study reports or long range planning documents that support the project and design were available.It looks to me that this will be a road to no-where. Abbott Road already exceeds its capacity, yet there is no plan to improve it, to handle the increased traffic. I questioned one of your engineers and her response was that traffic studies show there will not be an increase in Abbott Road traffic, and that you are only addressing this extension project. That seems very short sighted if this project causes more problems than it solves; and where are these studies so they can be reviewed. Also, your web page provides very little info and has not been updated recently, links don't work.
224 We need the project to ease the congestion at Tudor and Lake Otis. This town is growing and needs additional expressways both north/south and east/west. It should have been built 20 years ago! I've lived in Anchorage for 63.75 years. Thanks.....
225 If Bragaw is to be extended from Tudor to Abbott Road are there any plans to increase the traffic pattern of Abbott? Currently that section of Abbott Road is 2 lanes total. An increase in traffic flow through there will require the road to be widen else the congestion will be transferred from Tudor and Lake Otis to Abbott and Lake Otis. Have studies been done to show how the changes in traffic will affect the new flow? Example by providing a corridor through Abbott Loop Lake Otis traffic may increase between Huffman and Abbott as more people try to use this North South route. The problem then includes children that cross Lake Otis to get to school.
226 Just build it. Build it with the long term benefits of beauty and funcionality in mind. Put the people of the community and the value of life in this community first (For a REAL Change!) instead of the business owners and contractors. I have property fronting Abbott Road and those of us living in this part of the community are being overwhelmed by traffic. We desperately need a wider Abbott Road and this Abbott Loop Extension build it before the MOA steals the money for something else.
227 I live off Abbott Loop and 88th and drive the Loop Road daily. A couple of observations: 1)If the extension is constructed to efficienty move additional traffic through the area the existing loop road needs to be wide enough to allow for turning lanes. 2)Once the new city ballfields and park is open for business a lot of younger neighborhood kids will be headed to the area on bikes or on foot on their own. We need to provide our children safe access to these facilities via bike paths and under/over passes. 3)The money could be better spent fixing existing roads city wide.(I don't support this project.)
228 Public transportation in Anchorage desperately needs the Bragaw/Abbott Loop extension. Please proceed with a maximum effort in the shortest possible time.
229 Phone call: He is on the positive side to build the project. He is all for building a 4 or 3 or 2 lane facility now. Bragaw would solve the great burden of traffic on Lake Otis. Now he has to go around through Lake Otis and Tudor. This burns extra fuel, pollutes the air which is not good for the area. The project needs to happen now.
230 Phone call: She is against the Bragaw project. Why haven't people thought about using Lake Otis to Dowling and then going to the New Seward Highway? Another idea would be to put in an overpass at Lake Otis and Tudor with Lake Otis going over all the way north to Northern Lights Blvd. Another idea from a friend who is an architect is to double deck Tudor Road to help relieve the traffic.
231 Phone call: Member of the US Ski Team in 1962. He has seen the problems here for a number of years. We need to address the problem and solve it. We need more roads to get around the Anchorage area. Putting the traffic on Bragaw does not solve the problem. We need to use common sense and look at a facility that would take the traffic around the area. Include bike trails and look to the future.
232 Phone call: Go with the project now, let's just do it. It would make it easier for her to get to the University and hospital areas.
233 Phone call: Called with comments saying the Abbott Loop Extension project is needed now. Just look at the congestion at Lake Otis and Tudor. The area is growing and we are getting higher levels of CO in the air. Just do it.
234 I live on Muldoon Road near the 20th Avenue traffic signal and I am happy to know the Bragaw Extension is finally getting under way. This is a much needed project to help relieve heavy congested traffic in places along Tudor Road. I have several comments ref the project:l. It appears that the plans have adequate bridges to preserve our wildlife and streams. I feel that this is acceptable.2. As I review the plans, I had not thought of the 48th street extension that will run South and East of the Anchorage Police Department. This is an excellent idea and will greatly ease the traffic congestion at the intersection of Bragaw and Tudor. Please put that in.3. It appears that the 48th Street extension would connect to Tudor Road in the vicinity of the traffic signal at Tudor Road and Tudor Centre Drive. If this is true, it would help relieve some of the traffic going to the Alaska Native Hospital area away from the traffic signal at Tudor and Bragaw. I also suggest that traffic entering Tudor East Bound be provided a right turn, Yeild right of way entry, on a parallel lane of 200 to 300 yards on Tudor enabling traffic to merge without stopping at a traffic signal. Reducing the stops and engine idling times at traffic signals helps reduce the exhaust polution. Suggest this be studied.4. For long range planning, there needs to be a bypass around Anchorage from the Seward Highway South of Anchorage to connect with the Glenn Highway North of Anchorage past the Muldoon Road intersection. This needs to be a "no traffic signal" bypass. I realize this is a major undertaking and a very expensive project, but something will need to be done. Suggest a study be made for this, considering that if the much talked about Knik Arm Bridge is ever build, it will also relieve some of the traffic that uses the Glenn Highway.5. With so many new houses going up; most of the occupants will own a vehilcle or two, we have to face reality. Thank you.
235 Do not extend Abbott Loop Road !
236 I attended the second public meeting tonight at Service High and once again Stewart Osgood made statements regarding traffic volumes that defy logic. According to Mr. Osgood the volume of traffic south of 68th will be less than the volume of traffic north of 68th so fewer/no road improvements are required south of 68th. Where exactly do you think the traffic will disappear to south of 68th? The goal of this project is to have another traffic corridor to mid-Hillside. The traffic will be flowing the entire length of Abbott Loop. My main concern with this project is my family's safety in coming/going from our home in Zodiac Manor via foot bike or automobile. It is this section of road south of 68th adjacent to all the neighborhoods that poses the greatest safety hazard. Today between 7:00 to 10:00 AM and 3:00 to 6:00 PM residents of Zodiac Manor cannot easily and safely get onto Abbott Road from Jupiter Drive. Once the Abbott Loop extension goes through and if no steps are taken to allow residents to exit easily and safely the same problematic traffic situation will exist at the intersection of Jupiter Drive and Abbott Loop. Road improvements south of 68th on Abbott Loop including egress from neighborhoods and safe pedestrian travel must be part of the project. Otherwise we're just moving traffic snarls from one part of town to another and increasing potential for more vehicle/pedestrian accidents.
237 I live in the Zodiac Manor subdivision near Abbott and Abbott. I am concerned about the limited scope for improvements to this area should the extension be built. Our street Jupiter Drive is accessed by both Abbott Loop and Abbott Road; the western end of our street runs east-west and the eastern end runs north-south. I currently use the Abbott Loop exit even when I am travelling east up Abbott Road because it is difficult and dangerous - due to the high traffic volume - to turn left onto Abbott Road. If the extension is built our O'Malley and Huffman neighbors will take Birch or Hillside to Abbott Road then turn right onto Abbott Loop whenever they want to travel to points east of Lake Otis. There is no doubt Abbott Road and Abbott Loop will see significant increases in traffic. Both of these roads are narrow and hilly. Cars are often seen in the ditches alongside both roads. Failure to implement improvements to these two roads if the extension is built will surely result in backed-up traffic and an increase in the number and severity of accidents. Pedestrian access along and across Abbott Loop must also be included within this project for safety reasons. I have many reasons for opposing construction of a Bragaw extension but public safety is foremost in my mind at this point. The project is costly and the improvements to Abbott and Abbott that I am suggesting are not even within the approved bond amount. It is my opinion that this large amount of money could go far towards interchanges on the Seward Highway with the ultimate goal being no stops between Potter and Muldoon.
238 I am very much in favor of this extension. Anchorage is a growing city not a park land. We need to able to build roads in order to keep up with neighborhood and business growth.
239 I support Abbott Loop extension. I support having shorter bridges to conserve money. Seperated crossing must be provided for Campbell Creek Trail and the dog mushing trails.
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