Navigating construction cones and barriers is almost a way of life for Anchorage drivers.
Two of the biggest construction projects are on the Seward Highway and at the intersection of Spenard and Jewel Lake Road, spanning to 63rd Avenue.
"They've installed some median islands, the turn lanes are being changed a little bit,” said Regional Construction Engineer Tim Croghen. “I believe it's dual left hand turn lanes, at Jewel Lake and Spenard.”
Croghen says the work is being done to make the Jewel Lake Road safer.
You’ll begin to see less action along the Seward Highway as crews pack up construction materials for the winter. Cones will be removed; the pavement will be resurfaced and re-striped to accommodate snow plows.
"That's what our goal here is, to raise the level of awareness so that the traveling public is less impacted during peak hours," said DOT Spokesman Tony Sprague.
The highway will be expanded from four to six lanes between Tudor Road and Dimond Boulevard by the fall of next year.
Cyclists using the Campbell Creek trail system will also benefit by the replacement of the Campbell Creek Bridge which will link the eastern and western sections of the trail.
"You would ride up to the bridges and either mountain bike over the Riprap underneath the highway, or you would walk it underneath the highway," said Sprague.
The DOT says one of it's contractors had to send back some materials that weren't up to code. Those materials are used in the girders that support bridges.
Construction crews may be doing some work on those bridges throughout the winter when the weather permits to make up for the delay.
For updates on construction on Alaska’s roads click here.
Contact Adam Pinsker
