Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

The Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing a new project at the Haines Airport to rehabilitate the runway and several taxiways, build a snow removal equipment building and replace lighting, signage and culverts.

“This project would extend the service life of the Haines Airport, improve safety for aircraft operations and taxiing, improve airport access, and improve drainage,” reads a DOT notice of the proposal.

Rehabilitation refers to a deep resurfacing — more intensive than regular maintenance but one step below full reconstruction. “Overall, the runway, the taxiway, everything is going to remain pretty much the same,” said state design engineer Brett Wells. The project would be expected to extend the runway’s life by at least 20 years.

DOT conducted a pavement inspection last August and determined that the runway, portions of the five taxiways and the helipad all fell short of the state’s target pavement condition index range. Those features were constructed 30 years ago. In 2018, the state resurfaced the airport’s apron (or tarmac) and parts of two taxiways to improve drainage.

“This project is picking up where that one left off,” Wells said. It would cost between $10 and $20 million. The 2018 project cost about $10 million.

Construction could begin as soon as 2024 but more likely 2025, depending on timing of funding, Wells said. Funds would come from a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, with a state match of less than 10%.

Alaska Seaplanes marketing director Andy Kline said Seaplanes isn’t currently having issues with the runway or taxiways but that rehabilitation work would be helpful.

“DOT and the airport have thought through how to move forward and minimally impact our operations, which we appreciate,” Kline said. He added, “It’s not like some sort of troubled spot for us, the airport there. It works well for us.”

The project also includes construction of a building for snow removal equipment that is currently housed at DOT’s maintenance station in town. “This is going to allow it to be at the airport ready to respond once snow hits,” Wells said.

Kline said snow removal has been a concern for Seaplanes. “Any improvement on the speed and the amount of snow that can be removed is great for us,” Kline said.

There are bald eagle nests near the project area, DOT said, as well as the cultural site of the old Chilkat settlement of Yandeistakye. The original scope of the project included reconstructing the helipad but that plan was scrapped due to potential environmental impacts.

The project would require between 2,100 and 2,500 cubic yards of fill — in wetlands and near an anadromous stream, requiring approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and fish habitat permits from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Residents with questions about DOT’s proposal can contact DOT environmental impact analyst Joseph Galgano at 465-4509 or joseph.galgano@alaska.gov.

Public comments should be submitted by May 19, the notice said.