Construction will close Seward Meridian near Parks

June 19, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Anyone planning to drive through or near the intersection of the Parks Highway and Seward Meridian Parkway during the next week might want to start hunting now for another way to reach their destination.

The bustling intersection will be closed from 8 a.m. Monday through 8 p.m. June 26, according to Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities project engineer John Waisanen.

The Parks Highway will remain passable, but the section of Seward-Meridian Parkway under the overpass will be closed to traffic. Detours will be set up at Blue Lupine Drive.

Crews will be tearing up the temporary piling and false work that supported the concrete.

"The only safe way to do it is if we shut it down," Waisanen said. "Otherwise traffic would be right underneath the structure removal."

Waisanen said they have to take down the pilings and much of the overhead steel and timber supports must be removed.

Blue Lupine Drive will provide an alternative route to people trying to access the Seward-Meridian Parkway from the Parks Highway.

Drivers exiting the Seward-Meridian and trying to get to Palmer may take Blue Lupine Drive to Hyer Road, and then backtrack to town, Waisanen said.

The entrance to the Sears parking lot will also be open, allowing both employees and customers to conduct business as usual.

DOT contracted Quality Asphalt Paving to do the road work.

Skyline Electric Inc. is completing electrical work on the project, including signalization and highway lighting.

Sandstrom and Sons is a structural contractor doing work on the overpass itself.

Anyone wanting a weekly update on road closures along the Parks Highway may call 274-9575 or e-mail parkshighway@nerland.com.

The construction taking place at the height of summer solstice will be only one phase of work done around the overpass at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Seward-Meridian Parkway.

That section of road will be closed again in the future, Waisanen said.

Dawn De Busk may be reached at 352-2252.