Mack Road routes under discussion

WASILLA — A proposed north-south connector between Knik-Goose Bay Road and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway will go up for public comment on Thursday.

The city of Wasilla is working with the Mat-Su Borough and the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on plans to connect the north and south portions of Mack Road.

Wasilla Public Works Director Archie Giddings said the project can take one of a few potential routes. The first would simply connect the two parts of Mack Road without realigning the intersection at Knik-Goose Bay Road. The others would potentially realign Clapp Road to connect with the northern part of Mack Road.

“The state wants to improve the Fairview Loop intersection with KGB,” Giddings said. “A potential option would include a four-way intersection with Fairview Loop on one side and Clapp Road on the other.”

Giddings said the project will address the nearly seven-mile gap between the intersection of the two main arterials and Vine Road — the only existing north-south connector.

Identified in the 1996 Wasilla Comprehensive Plan as well as the borough’s long-range transportation plan, the link is essential for the future transportation grid, Giddings said. A link will divert some traffic off the safety corridors of Knik-Goose Bay Road and the Parks Highway, a priority for DOT/PF.

The project is estimated in the $10 million to $15 million range, Giddings said. The city already has $4 million to do design work and purchase the necessary rights-of-way. Much of the right-of-way is already in place, and the city will begin talks with the other property owners after a preferred route is chosen.

The rest of the money from the project will likely come from the state, Giddings said. The city has not applied for anything beyond the $4 million it already has for the project, and Giddings said he expects to do so when the design work is completed. The public open house Thursday is part of this process, and the next year will be spent finalizing the design and rights-of-way.

“After that, it will be wait for funding,” Giddings said.

The open house is from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.