The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is clearing the new alignment for the Sterling Highway MP 45-60 Reconstruction project, informally known as the Cooper Landing Bypass Project.
The Sterling Highway was constructed as a gravel road in the 1940s and 1950s. The section through Cooper Landing has not changed significantly, and does not meet modern safety standards. It is not designed for the traffic volumes of today. Environmental studies, engineering, and public involvement efforts were conducted from 2000 to 2018, resulting in final selection of the Juneau Creek Alternative. The current design work is based on the Juneau Creek Alternative as specifically described in the Environmental Impact Study.
Shannon McCarthy of the Alaska Department of Transportation: “We’re kicking off the project, we’re doing clearing, and we’re doing geotechnical drilling down there. This is the first part of a five-phase project with the full project wrapping up around 2025. Right now, we’re just letting drivers know that there will be drilling operations and they should be aware of crews and equipment entering and exiting the Sterling Highway, and just also letting hikers know that there will be crews in the area.”
She also discussed the nuts-and-bolts of the roadwork, as well as the benefits to Alaskans: “We are going to be constructing ten new miles of roadway and also reconstructing the two ends of the highway. It’s going to be a really comprehensive project. We’re going to widen it, we’re going to bring the roadway curves into compliance with modern design that allows people to go highway speeds. We’re going to be adding passing lanes, pathways, and wildlife undercrossings. A new bridge across Juneau Creek canyon, and then of course the first ever, in Alaska, the first wildlife overpass which will be great for that area. It’s very rich in terms of flora and fauna so it’s going to be a benefit to Alaska.”
The project is 90% federally funded with a 10% state match.
The clearing will initially be limited to the geotechnical drilling areas until mid-July to avoid potentially disturbing migratory birds. Additional clearing of the new alignment will occur after mid-July.