Construct, maintain, and caravanning of the northern route connecting the villages of PT

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management's Alaska Region has awarded a $2,500,000 Cooperative Agreement to the North Slope Borough government for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating a winter caravanning route connecting the villages of Point Lay, Wainwright, Utqiagvik, Atqasuk, Nuiqsut and Prudhoe Bay. This project is funded under the BLM's Recreation and Visitor Services Program (CFDA 15.225), which oversees outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands. The grant funding will be used to improve access, resilience, and the delivery of essential supplies and equipment to North Slope residents during the winter season when airfreight costs are prohibitively high. The award period is from May 12, 2023 to May 11, 2028.

Lay, wainwright, utqiagvik, atqasuk, nuiqsut and prudhoe BAY. These objectives are expected to achieve the same positive impacts seen in previous years conducting the cwat projects. For example, a brand new exterior door that costs 145.00 and is airfreighted from anchorage to anaktuvuk pass, alaska added an additional shipping cost of 1,200 00 and a total of 1,345.00 for one door. Added shipping costs for airfreight has been a common issue in rural alaska and continue to burden the alaskan residents of the north slope. Another source used for shipping freight is the annual barge where shipping only occurs in the summer months for the north slope coastal villages. This leaves all other seasons to be dependent on airfreight and costs for basic and essential needs are extremely high. Having a winter season to bring in these supplies and equipment will be a great benefit to the residents of the north slope borough.