Alaska Transportation Programs

Alaska is one of the very few States that have used Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds for work involving the Conservation Corps. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT) has a large and continuing need for work in State highway corridors. The program to use crews from Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAGA) has evolved over a decade. While the work is not the traditional backcountry trail project, the Corpsmembers benefit from learning to use mechanized equipment. This reliable funding source has allowed SAGA to engage more young people in service annually.

The Transportation Connection
The impetus for involving the corps in transportation work has been described as a confluence of good timing, opportunity, and the right people. First, the “new generation” of Federal transportation funding included language encouraging States to use Conservation Corps for a variety of work. At same time, AKDOT was promoting a plan to deal with highway maintenance problems by increasing the use of herbicides in areas not reachable by large machinery. Public outcry over more spraying eventually led to an idea: use the corps to reduce encroaching vegetation with more intensive labor. The opportunity was clear: the State had a mandate to use the corps, the corps was available to do the work, and the potential funding was already administered by AKDOT.

All projects, however, need to conform with Federal and State labor and wage requirements, as well as existing contractor and union relationships. The corps called on a supporter to help understand the potential opposition of labor unions. A union official who supported the use of the corps argued that since the program involved such a small amount of money, it wouldn’t affect union work.

The project has encountered periodic controversy. But in the ongoing flux of politics, the program has survived three governors and a succession of AKDOT commissioners. Another source of support has been the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) division office for Alaska, which oversees the transportation funding programs.

Involving the Corps
One more recreation-oriented type of project has been clearing trees and tall shrubs to keep the vistas open at scenic viewpoints. Most of the work, however, has been in maintaining drainage and sight lines along highway corridors. Crews use power brush cutters and chain saws to remove encroaching vegetation. They also shovel sand and gravel that builds up during the winter off the roadway edge. As long as the work can’t be done by AKDOT’s large-scale mechanized cutters or sweepers, FHWA approves it as appropriate for the Conservation Corps.

Working in highway corridors is very different from parks and trails projects, but crews learn its importance for safer roads. Trees and brush not only impact the highway; their new growth attracts moose and other large browsers. Anything that reduces the potential for collisions with large animals is a valuable safety precaution. For SAGA, addressing risk management is essential to keeping the crews out of danger when working along highways. SAGA takes on the responsibilities of maintaining work zone protections and training workers in standard safety precautions.

Some projects are in remote areas along scenic highways;.others are closer to urban areas with more traffic. SAGA recognizes the need to provide a variety of settings. As a result, crews that do a couple of weeks of highway work and move on to parks or backcountry jobs. Corpmembers learn to use chain saws and power brushers as well as road signage and traffic control. AKDOT promotes the experience as a way of nurturing interest in highway and transportation careers. Many corps members come from rural parts of the State where road maintenance is an attractive and well-paying job. Conservation Corps, like SAGA, help corps members learn important skills and serve as a pathway to road maintenance jobs.

Funding and Logistics
A key issue for SAGA is that AKDOT pays more than many other projects. The cost, which is negotiated with each DOT region, runs between $1,500-$1,800 a day for each crew. The contracts include the costs of mobilization — transportation and getting set up for a new project. At 10 percent of the contract, this is typical of highway work but not common with conservation projects. AKDOT provides the matching fund requirement as well, which in Alaska is less than 10 percent. State funds are allocated each year to serve as match for transportation projects.

Early each year, the partners work together to clarify the project priority, the availability of crews, and funding by region. SAGA typically brings the prospective crew leaders on the job early, using the additional time to teach the technical skills as well as crew leadership. The future also holds the potential for other kinds of transportation-funded projects that are suitable for the corps.

Effective ways of controlling invasive species is a growing need. Environmental mitigation work also involves intensive handwork while learning about ecosystems and horticulture. While there are many possibilities, the challenges are to identify suitable projects, develop the training programs needed, and identify appropriate funding sources.

Recreational Trails Program Projects
Alaska also administers its RTP funds through grants which are open to a variety of agencies and organizations. Some funds have also been set aside specifically for conservation and youth corps projects. Where a grant has fallen through, or funds have been returned, money becomes available and needs to be allocated to new projects. In this regard, Alaska has set up a fund that can support a wide variety of work on the State parks. The current cycle includes $200,000, which is dedicated for corps to provide the workforce. The “statewide trail crews,” as they are called, have done tread widening and hardening, drainage improvements, turnpike trail and other construction, retaining walls, and campground maintenance. Typically the crews camp out at the parks. Another advantage for Alaska State Parks is that SAGA supplies all the tools, gear, and supervision needed to complete the different kinds of work.

Benefits
The project serves two public purposes: providing good work for youth as well as safety improvements for public highway users. By tapping into the very large transportation fund for highway maintenance, the corps organization has access to work outside the usual parks and recreation field. Crews gain extensive experience in the tools and procedures of the transportation world, which supplements their work on the more traditional backcountry and trails projects. As a response to a real need in highway safety, the corps provides an effective solution.

For more information, Contact:

Division of Program Development
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
3132 Channel Drive, Suite 220 
Juneau, AK 99801-7898
(907) 465-6981

Recreational Trails Program
Alaska State Parks
550 W 7th Ave Suite 1380
Anchorage AK 99501-3561
(907) 269-8699
www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/grants/trails.htm

Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAGA)
PO Box 33037 
Juneau, AK 99803
(907) 790-6403
www.servealaska.org