The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is accepting public comments through June 7, 2026, on updates to how it works with rural communities on statewide transportation planning.

The agency is revising its Non-Metropolitan Local Official Cooperation Process, which determines how rural local officials participate in developing Alaska's transportation improvement projects and long-range planning. The current process was last updated in February 2021 and requires review every five years under federal law.

The updated process aims to improve coordination practices and incorporate lessons learned over the past five years. It affects how rural communities outside metropolitan areas can influence decisions about road projects, airport improvements, and other transportation infrastructure in their regions.

Rural local officials, community leaders, and residents can submit comments by email to [email protected] with the subject line "NMLOCP Comment" or by mail to Alaska DOT&PF, Statewide Planning, Jennifer Bowman, 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709.

The current and proposed cooperation processes are available for review at dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/areaplans/related/pubinfo.shtml. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Bowman at (907) 451-2315.

After the comment period ends, the department will review all feedback and publish a summary of comments and responses on its public involvement website.