In Alaska, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) provides for the safe movement of people and goods, and the delivery of state services. The principal executive officer of DOT&PF is the commissioner of transportation and public facilities[i]. The mission of DOT&PF is:
- to improve the quality of life for Alaskans through cost effectiveness;
- to provide, operate, and maintain safe, environmentally sound, and reliable transportation systems and public facilities;
- to utilize meaningful public participation; and
- to create working partnerships with other entities.
The commissioner shall classify the state into different regions. The functions of DOT&PF within each region shall be performed by the regional transportation and public facilities director through a regional office. The regional transportation and public facilities director is appointed by the commissioner[ii].
The powers and duties of DOT&PF include[iii]:
- to plan, design, construct, and maintain all state modes of transportation and transportation facilities and all docks, floats, breakwaters, buildings, and similar facilities;
- to study and determine whether the existing transportation modes and facilities should be improved or maintained;
- to develop a comprehensive, long-range, inter-modal transportation plan for the state;
- to study alternatives to existing modes of transportation in urban areas and the state, together with considering the economic, social, and environmental effects of each alternative;
- to develop plans to improve urban transportation and to develop facility program plans for transportation and state buildings, docks, and breakwaters;
- to cooperate, coordinate, and enter into agreements with federal, state, local government agencies, private organizations, and persons in exercising its powers and duties;
- to coordinate and develop state and regional transportation systems;
- to supervise aeronautics inside the state;
- to implement the safety and financial responsibility requirements for air carriers; and
- to inspect weights and measures in the state.
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
[i] Alaska Stat. § 44.42.010.
[ii] Alaska Stat. § 44.42.040.
[iii] Alaska Stat. § 44.42.020.