Construction questions answered at Transportation Fair

PALMER — Arguably the most popular man at the Mat-Su Transportation Fair last week at Raven Hall was Todd Smith, the Department of Transportation Project Engineer for the Glenn Highway Widening Project.

Smith had rarely left his project table in the full day he had spent answering questions from the public. The main question Smith was asked is what will the Glenn Highway look like when the snow flies and construction halts for the winter months. Smith said that the Glenn Highway is scheduled to have the first lift of pavement and signalized intersections done by the end of October.

“I think it’s nice for the community of the Mat-Su Valley to be able to come and not only see my project but see other projects that they’re interested in,” said Smith. “That’s very helpful for us to get the word out. It’s a very unique event in that way that it covers the totality of the projects in the Mat-Su. I think it’s great for the public. It’s certainly great for us to get all these people in one place and be able to present all the different projects.”

Smith stood along the back wall in front of tables with maps of the entire Glenn Highway widening project, pointing out intersections and detailing the construction schedule with concerned citizens. Among those asking questions at the Transportation Fair were other road construction industry professionals. While representatives from government agencies that regulate and facilitate road construction, right of way, and road safety were standing behind their tables, Right of Way Project Coordination Supervisor Al Burton was able to answer questions using tables from other presentations.

“When I have left the table is going over to a project table where someone had right of way questions about so I can point to the drawings to talk about their issue and how they’re going to be affected. So a lot of times I’m talking about concepts to solidify that information. People need a graphic, they need something to look at,” said Burton.

Burton and the majority of the other staff present at the Transportation Fair did little venturing from their tables, as Raven Hall was buzzing for hours without a lull in the action. Burton answered questions about tree clearing, the hot-button issue of the day in his department as well as providing valuable information on the right of way permitting process and relocation programs. Not only does Burton’s department deal with right of way property acquisition and driveway permitting, but tourist oriented directional signs and cultural recreational interest signs. Area Planner with the DOT&PF Melanie Nichols had a smorgasbord of pamphlets and brochures on her table, including details about Federal funding of road projects. Nichols spent hours talking over concerns that citizens had with roads and marking them on a map of the Valley. Nichols said that the crowd is a mixed bag, and everyone has negative feelings about a road buried somewhere.

“Some people are very upset about things and we’ve had a couple people threaten to sue dot which is standard. That’s how it is, that’s the life of a civil servant, but honestly most of the time when you are asking people for their opinions and for their help with developing things they’re generally pretty nice about it because you’re trying to help them,” said Nichols.

Not only were representatives from every active road construction project on hand to talk about the development and impact of their projects, but dozens of other organizations that deal in transportation and not construction.

Jennifer Busch with Valley Transit said that the Transportation Fair was a good way to get the word out about Valley Transit’s new demand response service around the Valley, alleviating the need to use cab services.

“We’re growing pretty rapidly and we’re looking to start Saturday service too,” said Busch.

Busch said that though the hurdle to get the demand response service out has been challenging, the commuter buses are still a valuable service that Busch was able to inform residents about. While often times riders use Valley Transit out of necessity, Busch said that an increasing number of choice riders use the bus to reduce their own personal emissions.