Glenn Highway Knik River bridges to undergo preservation work; Northbound bridge to close for approximately 30 days starting this week

The orange cones are up, flaggers are at the ready, and detours have been routed, all warning residents and commuters that road construction season is here. There are several projects that will have an impact on the daily commutes in and out of the Mat-Su Borough.

Among the most impactful road construction projects affecting commuters and visitors alike is the much-needed improvements on the Glenn Highway Knik Bridges, which is expected to cause some inconvenience is expected during construction.

The northbound Knik River Bridge, located on the Glenn Highway between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, will be closed for 30 days starting Wednesday, April 23 to undergo major preservation work. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is working with contractor Hamilton Construction Company to rehabilitate the Knik River Bridges.

While the northbound Knik River Bridge is closed, both directions of traffic will shift onto the open southbound bridge. Opposing directions of traffic will be separated by a concrete barrier, and a specialized piece of equipment called a Road Zipper will reconfigure the concrete barriers daily. This will ensure that there are two open lanes of traffic in the peak travel direction: two toward Anchorage in the morning, and two toward the Mat-Su Valley in the afternoon.

“The Glenn Highway bridges are a vital link between the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage,” said DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. “This resurfacing project not only preserves key infrastructure, but reinforces the importance of reliable connections between communities. In a state with limited routes for moving people and freight, maintaining and strengthening these existing corridors is critical to Alaska’s resiliency and long-term mobility.”

All three of these bridges are over 30 years old, and two are almost 60 years old (the northbound Knik River Bridge and northbound Peters Creek Bridge were both built in the 1960s). The bridges have potholes, ruts, and other maintenance issues that need to be repaired. The purpose of this work is to extend the service lives of the bridges, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety.

The project will require some additional closures including:

-the northbound on-ramp from the Old Glenn Highway to the Glenn Highway,

-the northbound off-ramp from the Glenn Highway to Knik River Access Road,

-the southbound on-ramp from the Knik River Access Road to the Glenn Highway.

Each will also be closed for 30 days starting April 23. Drivers are asked to be alert to detours in place for these closures.

Drivers should expect a reduced speed limit of 45 MPH, congestion, and delays during construction. Plan ahead for longer commute times. Carpooling, adjusting commute times, or alternate work arrangements are all ways to help lessen traffic impacts. To accommodate three lanes of traffic on the open bridge, the travel lanes and shoulders will be narrower than normal during construction. Any vehicles wider than 11 feet should contact DOT&PF's Measurement Standards & Commercial Vehicle Compliance Office for a permit to pass through the area.

Once crews are finished working on the northbound Knik River Bridge, it will reopen to traffic. The southbound bridge will then close for 30 days later this summer for similar rehabilitation work.

Visit www.511.alaska.gov, the 511 app or call 511 for the latest traffic information. Learn more about this project at www.glennbridges.com