The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will start reconstruction of the Seward Highway from mile point 75 – 90 (Portage curve) in Summer 2021.
Shannon McCarthy, Media Liaison and Admin Operations Manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Project Facilities, spoke to KSRM, “So this is actually the continuation of the work we did at the adjacent area. This is Phase of our Seward Highway milepost 75-90 project. It’s going to replace the five bridges that everyone’s having a hard time potholing out. It’s some of the oldest structures we have in our inventory and it’s going to widen the highway, put in turn lanes where they’re needed and passing lanes. It’s really going to be a great improvement for drivers.”
McCarthy said it’s going to be a pricey construction project, “We have yet to get a contractor on board. It’s still an estimate. It’s estimated to be between $80 and 90 million. We’ll see when the bids come, hopefully they come in low.”
Driving on that stretch of the Seward Highway can be hazardous to your vehicle. McCarthy says to drive with caution, “The pavement life is reaching the end of its life in the area. We do have the road posted as rough road ahead. We’re just advising people to moderate their speed and to really pay attention because what we’re having is potholes are appearing and crews are getting out and patching them and (when that happens) another one will appear right next to it. We’re hustling, but the pavement won’t be improved until we get out there and are able to really grind it up.”
The DOT&PF advises drivers to use caution and to report damage to dot.potholes@alaska.gov.