An open letter to DOT commissioner

Dear Commissioner Marc A. Luiken:

Patrons of the Meadow Lakes Post Office complex, area residents and other businesses in the Milepost 44 to 52 area have serious concerns about access to/from the Parks Highway related to the upgrade Pittman to the Big Lake turnoff. The current planned route from the west or east is troublesome for everyone who goes to the Meadow Lakes Postal Annex almost daily.

Thank you for visiting the Post Office with Steve Childs. They were impressed you took the time to do so, but the problem still exists. The local community of Meadow Lakes has grown steadily and will continue to grow. Access off the Parks Highway, not only to the Post Office, but also to local businesses and area homes should be improved.

This is a long-term upgrade and the side roads should reflect that. It is not a good plan to route traffic east from the Post Office and back through an unpaved narrow road heading in that direction of the Holiday station before allowing access to the Parks. This was what was done with Seldon Road, dumping large volumes of traffic into the residential Beverly Lakes area.

The best solution is frontage road access from the Parks Highway, similar to many arterial road access in Wasilla. Beyond that there should be an overhaul of the exit through the subdivision that is currently planned. Please see the attached draft Resolution 18-03 from the Meadow Lakes Community Council in support of frontage roads, and their request for an opportunity to meet with you. Thank you for your consideration of these concerns.

Vern Halter.

Vern Halter is the Mat-Su Borough Mayor.