(Kodiak) - Representative Dan Ogg (R-Kodiak) has received a copy of the second draft of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) from the Alaska Department of Transportation. This draft STIP covers Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2004, 2005, and 2006.

The STIP is required by the federal-aid highway program called the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century or TEA-21. STIP funding is based on a federal formula that allocates receipts from the Highway Trust Fund among all the states.

This draft is important in that the federal funds available to Alaska are estimated to be $400 million dollars below the previous draft STIP over three year time frame. This means that projects already on the books could be delayed for several years. On a positive note, two projects in Kodiak will go out to bid early next year: 1. In March, a bid will go out for reconditioning and paving portions of the Anton Larson Bay Road, the Chiniak Highway, the Monashka Bay Road, the Abercrombie Road and the Pasagshak Road. 2. Another project that will advertise in May of 2004 will rehabilitate and pave several miles of road on the Chiniak Highway from the end of the pavement in Middle Bay to the end of the road in Chiniak.

"Although these projects are slated for next year, Kodiak needs to weigh in and let DOT know where they stand to make sure these projects don't slip, asserted Rep. Ogg. "Now is the time for all citizens to stand up and be counted before the deadline of September 19th, continued Ogg.

The Draft STIP is now available for download on DOT's website at: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip_stip/. It is also available for review in my office and at the Kodiak LIO at 112 Mill Bay Road. Please send your comments to Jim Scholl or Susan Woodrow of DOT at 3132 Channel Drive, Room 200 Juneau, Alaska 99801-7898. If you have any questions concerning the Draft STIP you can call DOT toll free at: 1-888-752-6368. You may also fax your comments to DOT at their toll free number: 1-888-752-6329. And finally, you may also email your comments to: .

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