Drivers feeling orange pylon crush

Construction on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway is causing some confusion as motorists navigate their way through orange pylon-lined work sections and areas where no construction appears to be going on.

So what's the speed limit, many are asking?

The Department of Transportation posted signs warning of double fines in the areas where workers are re-doing sections of road. So for sure, it's 35 mph in those places.

One area immediately outside of Palmer leading up to near 49th State Street is one of three such zones. Another is on the Palmer side of Four Corners and a third one is just past Four Corners on the Wasilla side.

Department of Transportation traffic control engineer Joe Hartley said DOT set up 35-, 45- and 55-mph zones in order to help traffic flow without closing down the road. Additional signs will go up to help clarify the zones as paving work is being done, he said.

In areas where active work is going on, signs warn of double fines if motorists go more than 35 mph, Hartley said. Areas where off-road construction is going on, motorists can travel 45 mph. And sections where there is no construction allow for the posted speed limit of 55.

"We're trying to have realistic speed limits," Hartley said. "During the peak hours, from 8 to 10 a.m., and from 4 to 6 p.m., that's not when they are doing the major work, so that construction doesn't become a traffic trap for everyone. People really should be going 35 mph in those places."

Crews will be working 20 to 24 hours a day to replace guard rails, expand areas and pave sections of the highway. Hartley estimated crews would be finished by early August.