Closures announced as median installation begins at Seward-Meridian this week

The Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that crews will begin installing a median on Seward Meridian between Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Cottonwood Creek on Wednesday, August 13.

During this work, the intersections at East Meridian Loop, North Meridian Place, and East Cottonwood Way will be CLOSED. Travelers will need to access the areas behind the closure using the intersections with signals at E. Birch View Drive and E. Country Field Circle.

All traffic is running on the west side of the road while crews continue constructing the east side of the road.

When construction of the east side of the road is complete in September, drivers will no longer be able to take left turns at the non-signalized intersections due to the median.

Originally built in 1982, the Seward Meridian Parkway was designed to serve as a rural two-lane connecter between three larger, primary roads in the area--the Parks Highway, the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, and Bogard Road. As Wasilla has grown, so has the average amount of daily traffic on the Seward Meridian Parkway, creating the need for increased vehicle capacity and pedestrian facilities.

DOT crews began work to enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users last year. Work includes upgrading the road, increasing capacity to accommodate higher traffic volumes and improving access for non-motorized mobility by adding a paved multi-use path along the full length of the road, which will connect to the exiting path at the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

The median is being installed to improve safety and reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents along the corridor.

To learn more about this project, visit www.dot.alaska.gov/creg/seward-meridian/