Huffman Construction (Photo by Carolyn Hall Jensen / July 18, 2011) |
A major street through South Anchorage is now closed and won't reopen for at least a few weeks.
The Department of Transportation said the construction on Huffman Road just east of the Seward Highway is its single biggest project of the summer and will eventually mean good things for the now-nervous business owners nearby.
The upgrades include a few roundabouts, improved storm drainage, better lighting, and a sidewalk.
“We are ahead of schedule, every thing's looking good,” said Shaun Combs, the DOT engineer overseeing the project.
But before any of the upgrades become reality, the business district must make some sacrifices, and for the next few weeks it comes in the form of a shutdown.
There are still alternate ways to get in and out of local businesses like Walgreens, McDonald’s, Carrs, and other shops, though it'll take some patience and planning.
“We’re challenged, we have to go through the neighborhood or take the Carrs parking lot route,” said Robert Jull, an Anchorage Fire Dept. engineer at the nearby Station 8.
Jull said he doesn’t expect any delays more than a few minutes.
Business owners, meanwhile, are watching and waiting to see what the traffic mess means for them.
“For walk-ins, it’s affected it a little bit, but you know we have a regular clientele that they’ll make their way through,” said Stephanie Ward, a stylist at Geri’s Beauty Salon.
