SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) has welcomed the announcement that the U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Federal Highway Administration, is redistributing $183.4 million in federal funds to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.

The funding will support infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening highway safety, preserving pavement, and improving access throughout Alaska. Projects set to benefit include the West Susitna Access Road and the Cooper Landing Bypass. Senator Sullivan has played a role in securing funding for these types of projects as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, including efforts during the first Trump administration to secure permits for the Cooper Landing Bypass.

"We have natural resources that exceed most major countries, yet we have fewer road miles than Connecticut, despite our state being 118 times the size. In my seats on both the Environment and Public Works and Commerce Committees, getting more infrastructure—including roads—built in our state so we can unlock our full potential is one of my top priorities," said Senator Sullivan. "We’ve had great success securing major awards for transportation infrastructure projects, with hundreds of millions of dollars in long-term investments coming to our state, but more needs to be done. My team and I have had numerous conversations with Transportation Secretary Duffy and his team about our infrastructure challenges and the necessity of working cooperatively with Alaska DOT to ensure that, unlike the previous administration, federal highway funds aren’t bogged down by unnecessary requirements and red tape. I want to thank Secretary Duffy for following through on his commitments and look forward to working with Alaska DOT to ensure that these funds are used to advance infrastructure projects that benefit our communities."

These redistributed funds are intended for states with shovel-ready projects so they can move forward quickly using existing federal resources. On a per-capita basis, Alaska received more August redistribution funding than any other state.