Winter trail markings

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded $500,000 to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) on September 17, 2025, to establish winter trail markings across Alaska. The project will install semi-permanent trail markers over both land and water winter trails to enable safe passage for winter travelers between communities throughout the state. The initiative encompasses recreational trails used for snowmobiling and other off-road motorized vehicles and is structured as a categorically excluded program grouping multiple marking installation projects, with completion targeted for September 30, 2028.

This formula grant allocation supports Alaska's multimodal transportation infrastructure priorities by enhancing connectivity and safety in remote regions where winter trails serve as critical transportation corridors. The project advances the FHWA's broader mission of supporting highway planning and construction activities while addressing the unique transportation challenges of Alaska's geography and climate conditions.

Project description

Mark over land and over water winter trails across alaska with semi-permanent trail markers. Trail markers will ensure winter travelers can safely journey between communities in the area. Per 23 CFR 450.218(J) this stip program groups together categorically excluded projects for the installation of markings. Recreational trails, including trails for snowmobiling and other off-road motorized vehicles, are not subject to the location of project requirements in 23 U.S.C. 133(C).