The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced on Wednesday that construction is beginning on the Sterling Highway MP 45 – 60 project. Clearing started the week of May 26 and geotechnical drilling began the week of June 3.
During this time most construction will occur off of the main highway and full access to the Bean Creek and Resurrection Creek trail systems will remain. While using these trails, DOT asks that travelers watch for equipment, ATV traffic, crews working near the falls, and hand clearing activity within 20 feet of the trail systems.
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.