SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected Environmentimpact areas along the Delta River. The Texas Range and Washington Range areas, southeast of andadjacent to the Washington Impact Area, cover 8,961 acres to the east of the Delta River. In additionto these, the Cold Regions Test Center complex at Bolio Lake is off-limits to public access and use.Warning signs have been placed on DTA, most of them west of the Delta River. Eleven gates havebeen constructed along the eastern boundary of the Delta River, and one is located in the north portionof Allen Army Controlled Fire Area. The lands between Meadows Road and the impact areaboundary are off-limits and are posted accordingly. Warning signage exists on all probable approachesto restricted areas.3.2.6 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATIONThis section describes the affected environment for transportation resources near FRA and the DTA.The ROI for transportation resources in Alaska includes the transportation resources on and surroundingFRA and DTA.3.2.6.1 Fort RichardsonUSARAK currently deploys troops for training among its properties primarily using existing roadways.This requires use of the Glenn and Richardson Highways for convoys from FRA to DTA.USARAK deployment exercises may also include air, rail, and sea transport.Traffic on Alaskan highways has risen steadily over the past decade, including the Richardson, Parks,and Glenn Highways. Vehicle counts along the Glenn Highway between Anchorage and the MatanuskaValley have increased because of development and commuting from the valley to Anchorage.AR 55–2 provides detailed regulations for convoy preparation and implementation. Army convoysare subject to a permitting process in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Transportation(AKDOT). Convoy sizes vary based on the echelon deploying for training. Large convoys are usuallysegmented to reduce impacts to traffic on public roads. USARAK standard operating procedures callfor large convoys to be broken into groups of no more than 20 vehicles. These groups are then separatedby 30-minute gaps to alleviate traffic pressures on Alaska’s highways. Highway speed for amilitary convoy is not expected to exceed 40 miles per hour with the exception of “catch-up speed,”listed at 45 miles per hour. Convoys are normally not authorized to travel on post during peak traffichours.Deployment miles associated with FRA currently total approximately 212,400 miles per year andmay also include air and rail deployment. Current deployment miles from FRA to DTA total206,400 miles per year (USARAK 2004).Roadways near FRA include the Glenn and Parks Highways. The Glenn Highway provides access toFRA from the northeast and connects with the Parks Highway in Palmer. This highway continues onto Glennallen, where it connects with the Richardson Highway, a primary route connecting ultimatelywith Fairbanks and FWA. The transportation infrastructure on FRA includes two gates to the maincantonment area; four primary roads; and secondary roads including Quartermaster Road, Arctic ValleyRoad, First Street, Warehouse Street, Fourth Street, portions of Sixth Street, and a segment ofDyea Avenue. Two other small sections include Davis Highway between First and Second Streets andthe headquarters.February 2008 3–114 2/25th SBCT Final EIS