Purpose
The project purpose is to reconstruct Main Street from Terminal Way to 23rd Avenue to improve vehicle safety, enhance pedestrian/bicycle movements, and increase efficiencies for winter maintenance. The existing pavement surface and storm drain system has reached the end of its service life and is in need of replacement. Spot improvements to aging underground water and sanitary sewer systems will be made. Accessibility will also be improved throughout the corridor to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Improvements to the Safe Routes to School will be recommended to increase safety of students and staff.
The Municipality of Skagway (MOS) is starting a pre-design project for the reconstruction of Main Street from Terminal Way to 23rd Avenue. The results of this project will be used to apply for grant funding, which is needed to improve the roadways, sidewalks, accessibility, and underground utilities of Main Street. The Assembly has approved Concept 5B as the preferred concept for development of the Main Street Rehabilitation Project, and it will be used as the basis for future design work.
Background
This project is in its very early stages. The Municipality of Skagway has contracted with RESPEC to develop preliminary designs for the reconstruction of Main Street to improve public safety and repair critical underground infrastructure. Main Street is a residential street that sees traffic in the form of residential, commercial, educational, cruise ship traffic and pedestrians (walkers, runners, bicyclists).
Quick Facts
- In 2022, the Municipality of Skagway contracted with RESPEC to conduct a condition assessment of Main Street. The results of the condition survey were that the existing roadways, sidewalks, accessibility routes and underground utilities (storm, sanitary and water) are in need of repair.
- Main Street is part of Skagway’s Safe Routes to School plan and an important north south corridor for the community.
- The current roadway does not utilize the full right of way (ROW) owned by the Municipality of Skagway.
Project Updates
- At its July 1, 2025, meeting, the Public Works Committee reviewed additional concepts and directed staff to conduct a public review of Main Street Concepts 4b and 5. A Charrette was held at AB Hall from September 22 to October 3, 2025, where the public was able to view the concepts and provide feedback.
- At its November 18, 2025, meeting, the Public Works Committee voted to recommend Concept 5 to the Assembly for approval.
- At its December 4, 2025, meeting, the Assembly voted to amend Concept 5 to replace the 10-foot-wide shared use path with an 8-foot-wide path and 2-foot-wide curb and green space, which is now called "Concept 5B." This Concept was approved as the preferred concept for development and will be used as the basis for future design work. See Resolution No. 25-29R
- The municipality applied, on February 24th, 2026, for the 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program. The MOS requested $3,237,012 in BUILD funding to support the planning and design of the Main Street Rehabilitation Project. The total project cost for planning and design is $4,046,265. The Assembly approved a $809,253 match, or 20% of the total project cost, in support of the project. See Resolution No. 26-10R
Opportunities to Learn More and Share Your Thoughts
Comments and questions can be submitted by emailing the project team at mainstreet [at] skagway.org (mainstreet[at]skagway[dot]org)mainstreet [at] respec.com (.)
