Summers in Alaska means road construction season across the state. With summer fast approaching, the Alaska Department of Transportation is gearing up with road projects on the Seward and Sterling Highway’s.
Justin Shelby, Administrative Operations Manager with the Alaska Department of Transportation spoke on the project near Cooper Landing;
“This summer with that project they’re going to continue working on that section from about milepost 56 to 58 that they’ve been working on for the past couple of years. They’ve just got about a month and a half of work left there this summer. They’re gonna be finishing up doing the the final paving, the top lift, that should be starting about May 22nd. The goal is they’re going to try to get that finished up before Memorial Day weekend. After Memorial Day weekend, all there really gonna have left to do is striping and they’re hoping to finish that up by the second or third week of June.”
Shelby provides updates on the Cooper Landing Bypass for the 2023 season;
“So. most of the rest of the work on that section of milepost 45 to 60, is taking place off road. There are going to be a couple areas to be on the lookout for at Juneau Creek and Bean Creek. That’s where we’re going to have large vehicles going on and off the highway for that work, that’s taking place off road. Be aware there’s gonna be large vehicles coming on and off the highway. But, we’re not expecting any significant delays from that work.”
The project team will be available to answer questions and share updates Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cooper Landing Community Hall, (Mile 0.8 Bean Creek Road) in Cooper Landing.
Over the winter, crews have been working at 20-Mile River on the construction of the new bridge. In April, traffic will be moved onto the temporary detour at Portage Creek 2. During non-working hours, the speed limit between 20-Mile River and Placer River Overflow will be 45 MPH.
Be alert to a temporary detour on the Seward Highway at MP 78, near Placer River Overflow. Be alert to reduced speeds of 35 MPH at the Placer River Overflow detour, 24 hours a day. Crews will be working along the shoulder of the Seward Highway between 20-Mile River and Placer River Overflow, Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Be aware of equipment exiting and entering the roadway. Be aware of a large number of trucks exiting and entering the Seward Highway along the inside of the curve at MP 79, near the Portage Glacier Highway intersection.
Shelby advises drivers to be prepared when driving to and from Anchorage;
“As far as traffic impacts to and from Anchorage, that is probably the area that you’re going to see the most significant traffic impacts. Up until now they’ve been working on those bridges with cars on temporary bridges and their building the new bridges. You know off to the side, this year they’re gonna be working in all five bridges and shifting alignment from those temporary bridges to the new bridges. So, what’s gonna be going on that project-day and night -there will be traffic impacts and you lane closures and impacts from them shifting the alignment basically all summer. Strongly encourage drivers to to go take a look at our 511.alaska.gov for the most up-to-date information on what’s going on with that project and other projects. There’s a lot going on with that project this summer and they’re going to be moving traffic around a bit throughout the summer.”
For road construction updates check 511.alaska.gov.
