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Susitna‐Watana Hydroelectric Project Document
ARLIS Uniform Cover Page
Title:
Transportation resources study, Study plan Section 15.7, 2014 Study
Implementation Report SuWa 289
Author(s) – Personal:
Author(s) – Corporate:
DOWL-HKM
AEA‐identified category, if specified:
November 2015; Study Completion and 2014/2015 Implementation Reports
AEA‐identified series, if specified:
Series (ARLIS‐assigned report number):
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project document number 289
Existing numbers on document:
Published by:
[Anchorage : Alaska Energy Authority, 2015]
Date published:
October 2015
Published for:
Alaska Energy Authority
Date or date range of report:
Volume and/or Part numbers:
Study plan Section 15.7
Final or Draft status, as indicated:
Document type:
Pagination:
vi, 16 pages
Related works(s):
Pages added/changed by ARLIS:
Notes:
All reports in the Susitna‐Watana Hydroelectric Project Document series include an ARLIS‐
produced cover page and an ARLIS‐assigned number for uniformity and citability. All reports
are posted online at http://www.arlis.org/resources/susitna‐watana/
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
(FERC No. 14241)
Transportation Resources Study
Study Plan Section 15.7
2014 Study Implementation Report
Prepared for
Alaska Energy Authority
Prepared by
DOWL-HKM
October 2015
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page i October 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
2. Study Objectives .................................................................................................................... 1
3. Study Area .............................................................................................................................. 2
4. Methods and Variances in 2013............................................................................................ 2
4.1. Collect and Review Data ................................................................................................ 2
4.1.1. Variances ................................................................................................................. 2
4.2. Inventory Assets and Conduct Any Field Studies ......................................................... 2
4.2.1. Variances ................................................................................................................. 3
4.3. Document Existing Conditions ...................................................................................... 3
4.3.1. Variances ................................................................................................................. 3
4.4. Forecast Future Conditions ............................................................................................ 3
4.4.1. Variances ................................................................................................................. 4
4.5. Evaluate Effects ............................................................................................................. 4
4.5.1. Variances ................................................................................................................. 4
5. Results ..................................................................................................................................... 4
5.1. Collect and Review Data ................................................................................................ 4
5.2. Inventory Assets and Field Studies ................................................................................ 5
5.3. Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................ 5
5.4. Future Conditions ........................................................................................................... 5
5.4.1. River Transportation ............................................................................................... 5
5.4.2. Easements ............................................................................................................... 5
5.4.3. Project Facilities ...................................................................................................... 5
5.5. Effects of the Project ...................................................................................................... 8
5.5.1. Roadways ................................................................................................................ 8
5.5.2. Aviation................................................................................................................... 9
5.5.3. Railroad ................................................................................................................. 10
5.5.4. Port ........................................................................................................................ 10
5.5.5. Susitna River Transportation ................................................................................ 11
5.5.6. Easements ............................................................................................................. 11
6. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 11
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page ii October 2015
7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 12
8. Literature Cited ................................................................................................................... 12
9. Figures .................................................................................................................................. 13
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page iii October 2015
List of Figures
Figure 5.4 -1. Transportation Overview ...................................................................................... 14
Figure 5.4 -2. Project Access Corridor Alternatives .................................................................... 15
Figure 5.4 -3. Deadman Creek Airstrip ....................................................................................... 15
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page iv October 2015
LIST OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS
Abbreviation Definition
ADOT&PF Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
AEA Alaska Energy Authority
ARRC Alaska Railroad Corporation
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
ILP Integrated Licensing Process
ISR Initial Study Report
MSB Matanuska-Susitna Borough
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
Project Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project No. 14241
RSP Revised Study Plan
SPD study plan determination
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 1 October 2015
1. INTRODUCTION
This Study Implementation Report, Section 15.7 of the Revised Study Plan (RSP) approved by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project,
FERC Project No. 14241, focuses on documenting and assessing current transportation conditions
in the study area and evaluating potential Project demands relative to current capacity limits and
safety requirements for road, railroad, aviation, port, and river traffic.
A summary of the development of this study, together with the Alaska Energy Authority’s (AEA)
implementation of it through the 2013 study season, appears in Part A, Section 1-6, 8-10 of the
Initial Study Report (ISR) filed with FERC in June 2014. As required under FERC’s regulations
for the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP), the ISR describes AEA’s “overall progress in
implementing the study plan and schedule and the data collected, including an explanation of any
variance from the study plan and schedule.” (18 CFR 5.15(c)(1)).
Since filing the ISR in June 2014, AEA has continued to implement the FERC-approved plan for
the Transportation Resources Study. For example, the study team conducted the following
activities:
Participated in the October 23, 2014 ISR meetings related to the June 2014 Transportation
Resources ISR facilitated by AEA;
Reviewed other project studies, including the Engineering Feasibility Study, for relevant
information;
Documented the transportation infrastructure proposed as part of the Project; and
Qualitatively evaluated the short-term (construction) and long-term (operational) impacts
of the Project and compared the With-Project scenario to the Without-Project scenario.
In furtherance of the next round of ISR meetings and FERC’s SPD expected in 2016, this report
describes AEA’s overall progress in implementing the Transportation Resources Study during
calendar year 2014. Rather than a comprehensive reporting of all field work, data collection, and
data analysis since the beginning of AEA’s study program, this report is intended to supplement
and update the information presented in Part A of the ISR for the Transportation Resources Study
through the end of calendar year 2014. It describes the methods and results of the 2014 effort, and
includes a discussion of the results achieved.
2. STUDY OBJECTIVES
The study objectives are established in RSP Section 15.7.1.1.
The Transportation Resources Study assesses current transportation conditions in the study area
and evaluates potential Project demands relative to current capacity limits and safety requirements
for road, railroad, aviation, port, and river traffic. The study assesses the short-term (construction)
and long-term (operational) direct and indirect impacts of the Project, as well as of the cumulative
impacts of the Project. The transportation effects of the Project (With-Project) are compared to a
Without-Project scenario.
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The AEA Project team will use information from this study to identify and coordinate needed
transportation infrastructure improvements with the Alaska Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough (MSB), the Denali Borough, and others. This report will also provide valuable
information for the multidisciplinary analysis of the Project required under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
3. STUDY AREA
As established in RSP Section 15.7.3, the study area for the Transportation Resources Study
extends north from Anchorage to Fairbanks and east to the Susitna River to cover all relevant
traffic sources, traffic nodes (points where travelers or shippers may select different routes), and
destinations for each mode of transportation. The primary sources and destinations of Project -
related road and railroad traffic will be the Project site, southcentral Alaska ports, and local
material sources. The majority of the aviation traffic will originate in populated areas at primary
and smaller general aviation airports.
As explained in Part C of the ISR, Section 1.4, when the ISR was filed AEA explained that it had
decided to pursue the study of an additional alternative north-south corridor alignment for
transmission and access from the dam site to the Denali Highway. Referred to the “Denali East
Option,” these areas were added to the study area for this study beginning in 2014.
In addition, Section 1.4 of the ISR noted that AEA was considering the possibility of eliminating
the Chulitna Corridor from further study. In September 2014, AEA filed with FERC a formal
proposal to implement this change. Thus, this report reflects a change in the study area to no
longer include the Chulitna Corridor.
4. METHODS AND VARIANCES IN 2013
The methods used for this study consisted of the five steps described below.
4.1. Collect and Review Data
The methods for undertaking this task are discussed in RSP Section 15.7.4.1. The data collection
and review task was completed and reported on in Section 5.1 of the ISR for the Transportation
Resources Study in June 2014. This task has been completed.
4.1.1. Variances
There are no variances to the data collection and review section of this study.
4.2. Inventory Assets and Conduct Any Field Studies
The methods for this task were set forth in RSP Section 15.7.4.2, with the variances described in
Section 4.2.1 of the ISR.
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 3 October 2015
Since the ISR submittal, ISRs for the River Recreation Flow and Access Study (Study 12.7),
Subsistence Resources Study (Study 14.5), and Social Conditions and Public Goods and Services
Study (Study 15.6) were reviewed for relevant transportation information.
4.2.1. Variances
As noted in Section 4.2.1 of the ISR, the Ports of Seward and Whittier and the associated rail
infrastructure were added to the study area and included in the asset inventory due to their existing
capabilities and their status as year-round, ice-free ports. Both ports are owned by ARRC, which
has plans to construct significant upgrades to the Port of Seward within the next several years.
Only bridges that had structural or functional conditions with a potential adverse impact on
Project-related travel were included in the inventory included in the ISR.
The study proposed documenting existing river transportation by collecting relevant information
from other related studies (River Recreation Flow and Access Study (Study 12.7), the Subsistence
Resources Study (Study 14.5), and the Social Conditions and Public Goods and Services Study
(Study 15.6)) and using that information to inform interviews with knowledgeable persons about
transportation uses of the river. Interviews on river transportation have not been conducted.
4.3. Document Existing Conditions
RSP Section 15.7.4.3 documents the methods for this task. Existing conditions for all
transportation modes other than river transportation were documented in Section 5.3 of the ISR
for the Transportation Resources Study. Other studies (Recreation Resources, River Recreation
Flow and Access, Subsistence Resources Studies, (Studies 12.5, 12.7 and 14.5) and other literature
were reviewed for information on river transportation.
4.3.1. Variances
The Ports of Seward and Whittier and the associated rail infrastructure were added to the study
area and included in the existing conditions documentation due to their existing capabilities and
their status as year-round, ice-free ports.
Documentation of existing conditions for river transportation was not completed. Proposed
interviews with knowledgeable individuals on river transportation uses have not been conducted.
Information on existing transportation use of the river will be needed for impact assessment.
4.4. Forecast Future Conditions
During the 2013 study season, AEA implemented the methods for forecasting future conditions as
set forth in RSP Section 15.7.4.4, with the exception of variances explained below in Section 4.4.1.
Future traffic forecasts have been documented. These forecasts addressed the following issues:
Existing roads
Railroad loading and unloading facilities
Airport facilities
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 4 October 2015
Scheduled facility improvements, such as improvements proposed for the Denali Highway
Roadway traffic forecasts were documented based on existing traffic demand models where they
were available and by projecting demand based on historic traffic level trends for some facilities
not included in any traffic demand models. Aviation forecasts were documented based on existing
aviation forecasts in master plans and other documents. Rail and port forecasts were developed
based on interviews with rail and port staff.
Information on proposed Project transportation facilities and Project-related transportation
forecasts was reviewed and is documented in Section 5.4 of this report.
4.4.1. Variances
Although the Study Plan contemplated the use of the Trip Generation to forecast future roadway
traffic levels, the Trip Generation (ITE 2008) manual does not have information for hydroelectric
dam construction and operations. As provided in the Study Plan (RSP Sections 15.7.7, 15.7.11),
Project-related transportation forecasts have been developed based on information provided in the
AEA Engineering Feasibility Study (MWH, 2014), such as construction employment and timing,
workforce locations, and construction material scheduling and transportation information.
Forecasts of river transportation were proposed to be developed based on interviews with
knowledgeable persons. Interviews were not conducted and river transportation forecasts were not
developed. This information will be needed to assess potential transportation impacts of the Project
on river transportation uses.
4.5. Evaluate Effects
The methods for this task were described in RSP Section 15.7.4.4. Under this task, the potential
effects of Project construction and operation on various transportation modes are assessed and
needed mitigation measures are identified.
4.5.1. Variances
The RSP called for evaluating Project effects on all transportation modes including river
transportation. River transportation effects were to be evaluated based on information on river use
obtained through interviews with knowledgeable persons, as described under previous sections.
These interviews were not completed. This information will be needed to assess potential
transportation impacts of the Project on river transportation uses.
5. RESULTS
5.1. Collect and Review Data
A bibliography of documents used to compile existing information was included in Appendix A
of the ISR for the Transportation Resources Study.
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 5 October 2015
5.2. Inventory Assets and Field Studies
An asset inventory was completed for all modes of transportation included in this study with the
exception of river transportation. This asset inventory was included as Appendix B in the ISR for
the Transportation Resources Study.
5.3. Existing Conditions
A discussion of the existing conditions for all transportation modes was included in Section 5.3 of
the ISR for the Transportation Resources Study. Limited information on river transportation use
was included.
5.4. Future Conditions
Funded and planned infrastructure improvements and data on projected operations by mode
(except river travel), were documented in Appendices C through F of the ISR for the
Transportation Resources Study.
5.4.1. River Transportation
No forecast information is available for river transportation uses. Interviews with knowledgeable
people regarding the potential for changes in river use for non-recreation transportation were
identified as a data source for this information. These interviews have not been conducted.
5.4.2. Easements
No forecasts of use of RS2477 easements or 17(b) easements are available. Interviews with
knowledgeable people regarding the potential for changes in use of easements in the area for non-
recreation transportation were identified as a data source for this information. These inte rviews
have not been conducted.
5.4.3. Project Facilities
Construction of the project would include construction of new or improvements to existing
transportation facilities to support project construction and operations. Transportation facilities
associated with the project will include an access road, a railhead storage and transloading facility,
and an airstrip.
Figure 5.4-1 shows an overview of the transportation facilities expected to be used for transporting
the heavy equipment and bulk materials needed for project construction. These equipment and
materials are expected to be transported into the State on ships and then transferred to railcars at
the port of entry (assumed to be Whittier). Materials would be transported by rail to a rail station
at Gold Creek or Cantwell. Materials would be transported from the railhead to the project site on
trailer-trucks via a gravel access road. As shown on the figure, there are three road corridors being
considered for the last leg of the trip to the dam site.
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 6 October 2015
Personnel and time sensitive items, such as fresh food and emergency equipment and supplies,
would be transported to the site by air. Most supplies would be expected to originate from ANC,
but personnel may be transported to the site from a variety of airports in the Railbelt.
5.4.3.1. Road Access
Road access to the project site would follow one of three corridors: 1) Gold Creek, 2) Denali West,
or 3) Denali East. These corridors are shown in Figure 5.4-2 and would connect a railhead
transloading facility to the project site. If the Gold Creek corridor is selected, a gravel access road
would be constructed from the railhead transloading facility to the dam construction site. This road
would not be connected to the State highway system and only project-related traffic would be
allowed on the access road. If either of the Denali corridors is chosen, the Denali Highway would
be used to transport materials from the railhead at Cantwell to a point between milepost 111 and
114 on the Denali Highway. A new access road would be constructed the Denali Highway to the
project site. Only project-related traffic would be allowed on the access road from the Denali
Highway to the project site.
The access road is anticipated to be an all-season gravel road with a width of 32 feet (two 11-foot-
wide travel lanes and two 5-foot shoulders). The road would have a design speed of 20-40 mph
depending on the terrain. It is anticipated that transmission lines would be constructed parallel to
the access road in the selected corridor. The project transmission lines would tie into the Railbelt
transmission intertie along the Parks Highway near the railhead facilities.
In addition to the main access road, an internal road system would be developed to allow
construction and later operations personnel to reach the dam, the power house, the airport, and
other facilities. These gravel roads would not connect to public highway systems and would be
used only for project-related transportation.
5.4.3.2. Rail Infrastructure
Project railhead storage and transloading facilities would be constructed at the appropriate railhead
depending on the corridor selected. The storage and transloading facilities would be expected to
require up to 40 acres and would include the following facilities:
Fuel storage;
Storage are for up to 100 containers;
Covered storage;
Offices for logistics controllers;
Lodging/camp facilities for workers and drivers;
Parking for 43 tractor-trailer trucks;
Concrete hardstanding;
Helicopter pad; and
Tractor maintenance workshop.
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5.4.3.3. Airstrip
An airstrip is proposed to be constructed near the dam site for personnel transport and for transport
of time-sensitive goods. Figure 5.4-3 shows the proposed site, which is located north of the Susitna
River and west of Deadman Creek. The airstrip would be a 5,500-foot-long by 100-foot-wide
gravel strip. An 8,000-square foot apron would be constructed to allow two aircraft to load or
unload at the same time. The apron would be set back 500 feet from the runway centerline and
would be connected to the airstrip by a gravel taxiway. This airstrip would accommodate a range
of aircraft from small passenger aircraft up to large cargo aircraft, such as the L-382 aircraft
operated by Lynden Air Cargo.
Other permanent facilities associated with the airstrip include:
fuel storage;
fuel truck;
office/control room for controlling the airstrip;
waiting room and restrooms;
fire truck;
pneumatic truck;
mobile air stairs, and
helicopter pad.
Navigation aids anticipated include:
a beacon;
an instrument landing system;
a radio;
an automated weather observational system;
a wind indicator;
visual glide slope indicators; and
runway and apron lighting.
5.4.3.4. Other Transportation Uses
Although personnel and materials are likely to be primarily transported through conventional
means (rail, road or air), it is possible that unconventional access may occur during construction
if:
An accelerated schedule requires material and equipment be transported to the site before
the construction access road has been completed; or
The size of some items and the economics of transportation of specific large items requires
consideration of unconventional transportation methods.
Potential unconventional transportation modes could include use of a hoverbarge on the Susitna
River, use of CAT trains on winter trails, or use of helicopters or heavy lift airships to transport
equipment by air.
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 8 October 2015
5.5. Effects of the Project
Construction and operation of the proposed project will generate transportation demand for
personnel, supplies, and equipment. The majority of the transportation demand during construction
will be marine and rail transportation for bulk and large materials, with truck transportation of
material from railheads to the project site. Personnel are proposed to be transported to the site by
air during construction and operation.
5.5.1. Roadways
Although most construction materials would be transported by rail from ports, there are items that
might be transported by truck to a railhead for transport to the construction site. This would result
in increased truck traffic on State highways between the ports and the railhead during the
construction period. For example, the construction contractor may transport some materials by
road to a staging site, such as the McKinley siding and yard or the Sunshine siding for staging
prior to transportation to the Project site. Given that most materials will be transported by rail from
the port, the additional truck traffic on highways between the ports and the railhead site would not
be expected to result in any substantive effects on highway capacity or safety during construction.
During construction, increased rail traffic from the port at Whittier could have minor effects by
increasing road traffic congestion in Whittier due to the configuration of road and rail facilities
from Whittier to the west side of the Whittier Tunnel. These effects could be reduced through
improvements to the road system in Whittier to reduce points of conflict.
Construction personnel would be flown to the Project site, but traffic could increase in the vicinity
of airports used for transporting construction workers. These effects would not likely be noticeable
near ANC or FAI, but could be noticed around smaller airports used as transport locations, such
as Talkeetna Airport.
If the Gold Creek corridor is chosen, there would be no public traffic on the project access road.
Transportation of most materials would occur by rail and on the project access road, limiting the
potential for project construction or operations to affect public roadways.
If the East or West Denali corridor is selected, there would be a substantial increase in heavy truck
traffic on the Denali Highway over the 12-year construction period. Currently, the portion of the
Denali Highway between the Parks Highway and the Old Parks Highway serves a traffic volume
of approximately 200 vehicles per day.1 Farther to the east, the Denali Highway serves a volume
of approximately 100 vehicles per day. It is assumed that construction would require
approximately 314 truck roundtrips per week, or 45 roundtrips per day. This would increase traffic
on the Denali Highway by 90 trucks per day. This would increase traffic on the Denali Highway
by up to almost 100% during the construction period.
A two-lane low-volume rural highway, such as the Denali Highway, is typically designed to
accommodate up to 400 vehicles per day. With the following planned Project upgrades to the
1 Estimated daily traffic volumes based on 2013 Annual Average Daily Traffic, as reported by the Alaska DOT & PF
and made available at http://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/transdata/traffic_AADT_map.shtml.
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 9 October 2015
Denali Highway width and stream crossing to accommodate trucks association with Project
construction, the highway should be able to safety accommodate the proposed level of truck traffic
and the addition of this truck traffic should not result in capacity or safety issues.
Denali Highway improvements are anticipated to include:
Expanding the road surface from 24 feet to 32 feet;
Replacing or modifying more than 100 culverts along the highway;
Replacing the triple culvert structure at milepost 128.9; and
Replacing the Seattle Creek Bridge at milepost 111.2.
There would also be a substantial increase in truck traffic crossing the Parks Highway from the
Cantwell railhead to the Denali Highway heading east. The Parks Highway has a reduced speed
limit (45 mph) in this area already, but there may be a need for additional traffic control at this
intersection during periods of heavy truck traffic. Improvements to the intersection of the Parks
Highway and the Denali Highway would likely also be required. These improvements could
include an additional eastbound turn lane off of the Parks Highway onto the Denali Highway and
possibly a traffic signal at this intersection to accommodate the increased traffic from the Cantwell
railhead crossing the Parks Highway or turning from the Parks Highway to the Denali Highway
heading east.
Traffic levels associated with Project operations would be much lower than during construction.
If the Gold Creek Corridor is selected for access, operations traffic on public roads would be
expected to be minimal. If one of the Denali Corridors is selected, traffic on the Parks and Denali
Highways would likely be higher in future years than without the Project. However, the level of
traffic generated during operations is expected to be fairly low and could be accommodated with
the proposed road improvements noted above.
5.5.2. Aviation
Air transportation would be used for personnel and time-sensitive goods during both construction
and operation. It is anticipated that cargo flights would originate in Anchorage or Fairbanks and
that passenger flights would originate in Anchorage, Fairbanks or Talkeetna. Helicopters may also
be used when needed for specific types of material transport.
The Anchorage and Fairbanks airports are large international airports and the increased flight
operations would not be anticipated to result in any capacity issues at these airports. Both airports
have sufficient undeveloped land to support construction of or expansion of cargo operations areas
for construction freight handling.
The airspace in the Anchorage/Matanuska Susitna area is unique in the mixture of a high level of
general aviation, military and international cargo use. This results in a mixture of all size and speed
of aircraft transiting through the airspace over the MSB. Although an increase in passenger and
cargo flights to the project site would increase the number of operations in that area compared to
the level of operations without the Project, the relatively low number of aircraft operations
associated with the Project and the location of the Project airstrip in a remote area reduce the
potential for aviation safety hazards. Although there would be increased air traffic in the vicinity
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FERC Project No. 14241 Page 10 October 2015
of the Project site, this increase would not be expected to adversely affect overall regional aviation
operations.
5.5.3. Railroad
Substantial amounts of the supplies and equipment needed for project construction would be
imported from Seattle to Whittier (or possibly the Seward or Anchorage ports) and then by rail
and truck to the project site. Major components would include cement, fly ash, fuel, transformers,
other project components and large equipment. The majority of materials would arrive in Alaska
in either a railway car or a container and transferred to rail at the port. Containerized shipments
can be transferred to rail at ARRC port facilities at Whittier and Anchorage.
It is assumed that construction would require 250 containers of materials and supplies every week
to be transported in two 70-car dedicated shuttle trains from Whittier to the railhead each week.
Interviews with ARRC staff in 2013 (included in Appendix G of the June 2014 ISR for Study 15.9
Transportation Resources Study) indicated that the railroad operates at approximately 30% of its
freight capacity. Although rail freight traffic would see a substantial increase in volume with
transport of construction materials from Whittier or Anchorage to the Project site, this additional
demand is not likely to exceed capacity. While an increase of freight traffic on the railroad has the
potential to conflict with passenger rail operations, the excess capacity available on the rail line
makes the potential for effects on passenger traffic minimal. The ARRC has plans to implement
passing sidings along the rail when and if rail traffic increases to the point where this is required.
If wide loads will be transported on the rail, there are some locations that may need improvements
to accommodate them:
The Talkeetna River Bridge at milepost 227.1 of the rail;
The Billion Slough Bridge at milepost 227.9 of the rail line;
There are various points north of Talkeetna there are some places where the rail is close to
rock cuts that limit clearance.
Transporting wide loads by rail could require modifications to these areas including bridge
replacements or rock removal.
5.5.4. Port
Most materials are likely to be shipped from Seattle to Whittier in containers and loaded on the
railroad at the port. It is possible that some materials may be shipped through the Seward,
Anchorage or Point MacKenzie ports as well. The Seward port freight facilities are currently at
capacity but the port is in the planning process for improving the freight facilities. Port MacKenzie
does not currently have rail access, but construction on a rail line is underway and could be
complete by start of Project construction. The Anchorage port has adequate freight facilities, but
is not as deep as the port at Whittier.
As noted above, construction would require an average of 250 containers per week. Container
ships are able to carry hundreds of containers per ship, so this could be accommodated on one ship
per week. This could result in an increase of 50% of annual vessel calls in Whittier which currently
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has about 90 vessel calls per year. Given that current port operations are estimated at 50% of
capacity, the additional traffic could be accommodated. As noted above, other southcentral ports
such as Anchorage, Seward or Point MacKenzie could also provide additional capacity if needed.
5.5.5. Susitna River Transportation
As discussed in Section 5.3.5 of the June 2014 ISR for the Transportation Resources Study,
residents of small communities and remote lodge owners along the river use or cross the river to
transport people and goods to remote cabins and lodges, for accessing trapping locations, and for
recreation and subsistence uses. Non-recreation transportation uses associated with access to
lodges and cabins occur in both winter and summer. Most cabins and residences are located on the
lower reaches of the river toward Chase, Curry and Talkeetna and the more densely populated
areas have access via rail.
River transportation is not anticipated to be a major transportation route for construction materials,
and construction activities would have limited effects on other uses of the river. In the event that
unconventional transportation modes (see Section 5.4.5.5) are employed, such as a hovercraft,
there would be the potential for conflicts with other river transportation uses. However river use
levels are general low enough and distributed enough to minimize the potential for substantial
adverse effects. In addition, hovercraft use would be expected to occur only prior to access road
construction and therefore any potential adverse effects would be short-term.
Project operation could result in changes to river flows and ice formation below the dam location.
These changes may affect transportation use of the river. More detailed information on specific
uses, times and locations would need to be obtained from knowledgeable individuals to adequately
assess the potential and extent of these effects.
5.5.6. Easements
Project construction and operations could directly affect existing trails and easements in areas
impacted by the dam and reservoir, as well as by crossing trails and easements with new access
roads. More detailed information on specific uses, times and locations would need to be obtained
from knowledgeable individuals to adequately assess the potential and extent of these effects.
6. DISCUSSION
The primary goals and objectives of the Transportation Resources Study, as identified in RSP
Section 15.7.1.1, are to assess current transportation conditions in the study area, evaluate Project
demands on the transportation system within the study area, and describe Project effects on the
transportation systems.
Existing conditions for road, rail, air transportation, ports have been documented. Existing
information on river and trail use has also been addressed. Future forecast operations for most
modes have been documented based on existing published data and interviews with knowledgeable
individuals.
Transportation infrastructure proposed as part of Project development is described in Section 5.4.5.
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 12 October 2015
Generally existing transportation infrastructure is sufficient for supporting Project construction
and operation, given the proposed improvements noted in Section 5.5. Selection of one of the
Denali Corridors for access to the Project site would result in a substantial increase in traffic on
the Denali Highway. Although this increase in traffic would result in substantial increases of traffic
on the Denali Highway and at the Denali Highway/Parks Highway intersection, the overall volume
of traffic would still be within the design capacity of the highway and effects should be minimal.
Increased air traffic would occur in the vicinity of the Project site, but given the low level of
development in the area, this increase would not be expected to adversely affect overall regional
aviation operations.
Increased rail traffic from the Whittier port to the Project site could adversely affect road traffic in
the Whittier area, but again the low road traffic volumes would likely result in modest effects.
These effects would be short-term and occur only during the construction period.
Construction would result in substantive increases in operations at the Whittier port, but port
capacity is available and could be supplemented with some use of the Anchorage, Point
MacKenzie and/or Seward ports.
Overall, the Project would result in higher transportation demands on most transportation modes
than without the Project. Existing infrastructure with proposed improvements is sufficient for most
transportation modes.
7. CONCLUSION
The majority of objectives of the Transportation Resources Study have been met. The information
collected and developed documents existing transportation resources, planned improvements and
potential effects of the project on transportation systems. Little documentation is available on river
and trail transportation uses and only very general analysis on river transportation has been
addressed. More information may be needed to adequately evaluate impacts on river and trail
transportation uses. This information would likely need to be developed through interviewing a
broad range of knowledgeable sources on river and trail transportation uses.
8. LITERATURE CITED
MWH (MWH Americas, Inc.). 2014. Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, Engineering
Feasibility Report. AEA11-022. Prepared for Alaska Energy Authority.
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 13 October 2015
9. FIGURES
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 14 October 2015
Figure 5.4 -1. Transportation Overview
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 15 October 2015
Figure 5.4 -2. Project Access Corridor Alternatives
2014 STUDY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES STUDY (15.7)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 16 October 2015
Figure 5.4 -3. Project Access Corridor Alternatives