The Alaska Department of Transportation recently amended the 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to include, among other projects, a study on erosion mitigation for Homer Spit Road.

The STIP is a four-year state blueprint for federal surface transportation investments in key infrastructure projects that enhance safety, mobility and economic growth.

The amendment is currently undergoing a public review period; community members are invited to submit comments on Amendment #2 through March 20.

“We encourage Alaskans to review the proposed STIP amendment and provide input to ensure our investments continue to reflect community priorities,” DOT Deputy Commissioner Katherine Keith said in a Feb. 18 press release.

The erosion mitigation study is listed as Project #34708 in the amended STIP. According to the City of Homer website, this planning study will evaluate “needed improvements,” which may include excavation, coastal erosion protection, paving, signing and striping, and utility relocation, to protect the Sterling Highway along the Homer Spit from erosion.

The state has programmed $800,000 for the study.

The City of Homer has been conducting conversations with DOT on the need for a comprehensive long-term plan to mitigate erosion on the Homer Spit, which was mostly recently aggravated by a series of severe winter storm events in November and December 2024.

“We are excited to see this project funding come forward and encourage the public to support this important project,” the city website states.

Find the STIP website in full at dot.alaska.gov/stip. The STIP Amendment #2 dashboard, which includes interactive maps, data summaries and detailed project information, is available at dot.alaska.gov/links/pdp.

Members of the public may submit comments directly on the amendment dashboard; by emailing dot.stip@alaska.gov; calling or texting 1-855-925-2801 (leave a voicemail using PIN 2191, or type “STIP” to start your text message); or mailing comments to STIP Team, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, 550 W. Seventh Avenue, Suite 295, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.

Find the public comment form and other information about the erosion mitigation study on the City of Homer website at www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/, under “DOT&PF Invites Public Comment on the 2024-2027 STIP Amendment #2.”

Cars yield to oncoming traffic before commuting south on the single open lane of Homer Spit Road on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, following significant erosion damage to the highway that occurred on Saturday in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)