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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

NORTHERN REGION
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Cordova Airport Rehabilitation and Fencing

What's New!

  • Join us at the first Public Open House on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 5:00 – 7:30 pm at The Cordova Center. Presentation will begin at 5:30pm. The focus of this meeting is to solicit feedback and discuss the proposed improvements. It is important to the DOT&PF that you have an opportunity to ask questions, provide comments and recommendations.

Project Overview

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proposing to improve the Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport (Cordova Airport) through two separate projects:

  1. Cordova Airport Runway Rehabilitation Project (State DOT&PF Project No.: NFAPT00654)
  2. Cordova Airport Fence Installation Project (State DOT&PF Project No.: NFAPT00664)

The purpose of these projects is to:

  • upgrade existing aviation facilities to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards,
  • ensure safe and reliable use of the Cordova Airport,
  • decrease wildlife hazards,
  • reduce the chances of unauthorized access,
  • meet transportation security requirements

Runway 9/27 pavement is degraded and beyond its useful life, creating safety deficiencies with uneven surfaces and ponding water. The airport experiences frequent wildlife incursions on operational surfaces because the airport perimeter is not secure.

The projects are being planned together to maximize efficiency for responding agencies and the public and because both projects could occur concurrently.

Project Area

The Cordova Airport is approximately 155 air miles southeast of Anchorage, located in Sections 12 and 13, Township 16 South, Range 2 West, and Sections 7, 8, 17, and 18, Township 16 South, Range 1 West, Seward Meridian at latitude 60.49208 North and longitude 145.47647 West (USGS Quadrangle Cordova B4-NW).

map showing the components of the two projects

Environmental Documentation

Both projects will be evaluated by FAA under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) separately as they are not connected actions under NEPA. The runway rehabilitation project would be evaluated through a Categorical Exclusion and the fence installation project would be evaluated through an Environmental Assessment (EA), due to the anticipated wetland impacts.

It is the policy of the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source, including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association and State of Alaska funds. Persons who believe they may have experienced discrimination in the delivery of these programs or activities may file a confidential complaint with this fillable form. For individuals requiring TTY communications, please contact Alaska Relay at 7-1-1 or 1-800-770-8973.