Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Master Plan Update Public Meeting #2

Welcome to the text only accessible online public meeting for the September 14, 2023, Anchorage International Airport Public Meeting.

The purpose of this online public meeting is to share the materials that were presented at the September 14, 2023, in-person public meeting. This online platform is open from September 14 to September 28, 2023. Your feedback is important to us! Visit the Contact Us section of this meeting to leave your feedback.

Navigating this site:

This site is best viewed on your desktop or laptop computer at 100% view. You may click the tabs on the left side of the screen to visit each poster station. If you prefer to experience this Online Public Meeting in text format only, visit the Text Only page of this meeting.

Welcome

The ANC Master Plan Update (MPU) will provide recommendations to airport facility, operations, and cargo growth based off aviation forecasts and facility requirements.

Today’s Agenda

5:30 PM Public Meeting Begins
5:45 PM Presentation
7:30 PM Public Meeting Ends

Please note that this meeting is about the master plan for the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

The NorthLink Project is a separate project working independently of the ANC MPU. For NorthLink questions please contact the NorthLink Project team at (907) 931-6350 [email protected] or visit www.northlinkaviation.com.

What is an airport master plan?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that all airports have up-to-date master plans. A master plan serves as a blueprint for an airport’s long-term development and is typically updated every 5 to 7 years. The Airport last completed a Master Plan Update from 2012 to 2014. Since then, many changes have occurred that merit a new Master Plan Update. Of note, the Alaska and world economies have changed due to the rise of e-commerce, which has impacted cargo traffic.  In Alaska, a prolonged recession impacted the local and state economies. The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered travel patterns for several years, but they appear to be recovering to near normal passenger levels. Tourism in Alaska continues to grow.

Master Plan Process Overview & Schedule

Study Design

We review previous studies to develop a well-defined project approach that follows FAA guidance.

Vision, Goals & Objectives

Goals and objectives for the Master Plan Update are defined.

Aviation Forecast

Using feedback from the major airline stakeholders, develop an Aviation Forecast of projections for passengers, cargo, and operations at ANC Airport. The forecast will include insight on future activity and will be presented to the public after the data is accepted by FAA.

Inventory

Update any changes that have occurred since the previous master plan update. Airport staff, tenants, and stakeholders help identify changes in the existing conditions.

Facility Requirements – We are here!

Facility requirements are primarily determined by technical analysis of existing facility data relative to forecast demand. For this Master Plan Update, facility requirements will rely upon demand-level trigger points to establish a need for additional throughput capacity. A trigger point is the point at which throughput exceeds an established facility capacity, degrading facility performance or level of service and triggering a need for an improved or expanded facility. This stands in contrast to using a calendar to establish a timeline for facility improvements.

Alternatives Development & Evaluation

Prepare conceptual development plans for meeting the established facility requirements. Typically, several solutions or alternatives are conceived to meet future facility needs.

The alternatives are screened using evaluation criteria to identify those that best meet the Airport’s needs. Multiple alternatives are then refined and combined to more fully address airport needs and evaluation criteria and move forward.

Final Master Plan Report

The Facilities Implementation Plan provides recommendations on how to implement the Master Plan Update and the preferred alternative. This often includes a development schedule, cost estimates, phasing plan, identification of interrelated projects, and other special considerations. To-scale Airport drawings that make up the ALP will be updated, depicting proposed developments that make up the selected alternative.

Master Plan Update conditions, findings, and development plans will be documented in a draft and a final report. The report will include a summary of public involvement activities and outcomes. The report will also include a financial feasibility analysis for identified Airport improvements. The final report will be published and made available to the public.
The Facilities Implementation Plan provides recommendations on how to implement the Master Plan Update and the preferred alternative. This often includes a development schedule, cost estimates, phasing plan, identification of interrelated projects, and other special considerations. To-scale Airport drawings that make up the ALP will be updated, depicting proposed developments that make up the selected alternative.
Master Plan Update conditions, findings, and development plans will be documented in a draft and a final report. The report will include a summary of public involvement activities and outcomes. The report will also include a financial feasibility analysis for identified Airport improvements. The final report will be published and made available to the public. Master Plan Schedule
The Master Plan Update is anticipated to take roughly 24 months to complete, with a final completion date of December 2024. The schedule may change. The best way to stay up to date is to sign up for email updates.

Schedule

The Master Plan Update is anticipated to take roughly 24 months to complete, with a final completion date of December 2024. The schedule may change. The best way to stay up to date is to sign up for email updates.

Public & Stakeholder Involvement Plan Overview

COMMENT TRACKING

Gathering feedback and responding broadly

EMAIL LIST

Sign-up to receive updates on project progress

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSES

Regular updates on master plan progress

PROJECT WEBSITE

Project information sharing online

AIRLINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Airline participation and advisement

WORKING GROUP

Tenants, community councils and other organizations

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow the airport on social media for project updates

TRIBAL OUTREACH

We will invite engagement by leadership of local Tribes

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives (G&O) will be used to evaluate alternative actions for meeting the primary purpose of the Master Plan Update: evaluating the best course of action for Airport development to meet future aviation demand.

The following goals were identified at the project’s outset in a staff and airport leadership workshop and are modestly evolved from the prior Master Plan. Project goals are broad statements about what the Airport hopes to achieve through the Master Plan Update process.

G&O 1. SAFETY

Goal: Maintain or enhance the safe operation of the Airport

G&O 2. EFFICIENCY

Goal: Maintain or enhance the efficient operation of the Airport

G&O 3. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Goal: Minimize the impact of airport development through environmental awareness

G&O 4. FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY

Goal: Maintain the long-term fiscal sustainability of the Airport

G&O 5. LAND MANAGEMENT

Goal: Facilitate long-term Airport development through strategic land management planning

G&O 6. COMMUNICATION

Goal: Engage stakeholders through open communication

Master Plan Update promote effective dialogue between the Airport and stakeholders.

G&O 7. RESILIENCE

Goal: Minimize impact of operational interruptions and disruptions

OBJECTIVES

The objectives provide a framework for evaluating the Master Plan Update process and help determine if the project goals are met.

Comments: Highlights to Date

We are listening to you! We have received over a total of 26 public comments through email, phone calls, and public meetings to date. Most of the comments are in favor of the airport master plan and expansion, with some concerns to consider when planning. Things to Consider

Noise
Smell
Air quality
Nearby neighbors
Accommodate freight growth
Flight path management
Transportation options to/from airport
Improved IT solutions to track carbon emissions
Development close to residential areas, schools, and parks
Need for additional runway capacity either at ANC or another location

Ideas

On-site hotel
Quiet hours at the airport
Mini movie theatre similar to Portland’s Airport
Rail connection
Cargo airport on Fire Island (or new airport elsewhere)
Roundabout at Sand Lake Road & Raspberry

In support of

Refrigeration building
Updating master plan in general
Growth/expansion (facility improvements)
Bringing in more airlines
Improve NAVAIDs & Air Traffic sequencing to use existing runways

Aviation Forecast

The Aviation Forecast has been approved by the FAA in September 2023. Graphs are listed for the categories below: operations, passenger activity, cargo, and general aviation.

Facility Requirements

Facility requirements identify the scale and type of improvements ANC will need to accommodate forecast growth safely and comfortably for future years. The following facility requirements are planning activity levels that drive the need for improvements at specific periods in time.

Projections of future facility needs

What facility improvements are needed for ANC to accommodate forecast growth

Projects when improvements are needed

Needs for future facilities are tied to Planning Activity Levels, not years

How Are Facility Requirements Derived?

Analysis based on projected growth in passengers, operations, cargo, and general aviation
Input from airport staff, tenants, and FAA
Input from airline personnel and operators
Facility observations by the technical team
Consultant analysis based on experience at similar airports

Airfield Facility Requirements

Based on FAA Airport Design Standards, all aircraft are adequately served by existing runway lengths. Some minor improvements suggested to meet current FAA standards include increasing length of Runway 25L’s blast pad and improving the angle of the Crossfield Taxiways. Taxiway Z extension is scheduled for phased construction from 2023-2029, which will require some other facilities to be relocated. Taxiway Z Development Impacts includes VOR Navigational Aid, runway 15 localizer and a Police Training Facility.

Terminal Facility Requirements

Passenger growth will require both gate expansions in the South Terminal as well as enhanced capacity for airline ticketing, security screening checkpoints, and baggage.

South Terminal Building

Near-term capacity enhancement required for airline ticketing, security screening checkpoint, and baggage make-up
Capacity enhancement required for baggage screening in long-term

Apron

Passenger growth will require new gates at the South Terminal or increased use of the North Terminal
Additional commuter capacity needed

Landside Facility Requirements

Parking for both employees and passengers do not adequately serve the needs of the airport. In comparison to similar airports, Anchorage is below peers in passenger to parking ratios.

Parking

ANC is below peers in parking spots available per originating passenger
About 44% of vehicle parking is located off-airport
Additional parking capacity is required in the near-term

Support Facility Requirements

High growth has continued to increase the need for building and landside capacity in the near-term. Additional space is required for support facilities to accommodate demand.

Air Cargo Buildings

Cargo processing buildings are congested
Additional cargo building space required in near-term

Air Cargo Parking

Planned cargo parking will meet cargo aircraft parking demand

General Aviation

Additional building & landside capacity may be required in near-term
Additional apron area may be required in mid-term

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) & Police Facilities

Main station undersized; expand or relocate in near-term
Police training facility relocation required in near-term
Auxiliary ARFF station undersized

Comments

Please share your thoughts with us. Your input helps inform future work, so we want to hear from you.

Ways to Comment:

Fill out a comment sheet

Email us at [email protected]

Fill out our comment form online at https://ancmpu.com

Call the project hotline at 907-268-3106 and leave a voicemail

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