The Federation of Community Councils :: Save Chester Creek Greenbelt

Time to Speak up to Save Chester Creek Greenbelt

Rogers Park Community Council asks you to take a moment to protect the Chester Creek Greenbelt by submitting comments on the Seward to Glenn highway connection project, even if you commented in early 2024. Comments are due by the end of February, 2025.

The Alaska Department of Transportation is evaluating alternatives to connect the Glenn and the Seward Highways, one of which is a four-lane highway through the Chester Creek greenbelt and Sitka Park, as shown in the attached “Alternative D” figure. Noise and pollution from traffic on this highway would spread throughout the greenbelt, adjacent residential neighborhoods, the Anchorage Senior Center, and AFHC senior housing.

Two proposed tunnel alternatives would have fewer negative effects on parks and neighborhoods, but both are expensive, and absent strong public outcry, the lower-cost route up Chester Creek may become the preferred alternative.

The project team’s first report on alternatives was released last February. Subsequently the alternatives were revised as described in this December report (the Chester Creek highway was reduced from six to four lanes). The Chester Creek highway is Alternative D and is depicted on report page 21.

Even if you submitted comments in February, they need to be submitted again, since the alternatives are not the same. If there are multiple people in your household they can each submit a comment. Spread the word to your contacts. Numbers seem to matter.

Comments are due by the end of February, 2025 and can be submitted at this link, or email your comments to the project team directly at info@sewardglennconnection.com

Comments could be as short as “I oppose Alternative D because…” or “I oppose Alternative D and ask that it not be carried forward to the next level of screening.” If you need other inspiration, attached are:

Thank you,

Rogers Park Community Council