New camera keeping an eye on Valley traffic

MAT-SU — The state’s Department of Transportation has added another traffic camera to the string it has on Valley highways.

Between Wasilla and Anchorage, commuters pass under seven cameras whose images are posted at the state’s website — roadweather.alaska.gov.

The first is at the S-curves, the next at the Glenn Highway weigh station just outside of town. Then there’s one at the Eagle River bridge, another at Thunderbird Falls, another at the first Knik River bridge, and one at Mile 35.2.

The newest camera is at the Glenn Highway’s interchange with the Parks Highway.

The view of the camera is just about what one would expect, accept that it’s not actually a live feed. It’s a series of still shots uploaded every 10 minutes. But you can view the intersection from a half-dozen angles.

After Wasilla there are two more cameras — one at Mile 53.2 Parks Highway near Hawk Lane and another at Mile 98.7 near Talkeetna Spur Road.

The state says the camera is just one piece of information in a larger effort to inform commuters about traffic conditions. It’s paid for through a federal program to set up Road Weather Information Systems.

“The Road Weather Information System (RWIS) sites include cameras, a temperature data probe for seasonal weight restrictions, sensors for pavement temperature, winds, precipitation, moisture and traffic speed. This highway section is one of the most highly traveled highways in Alaska and is also part of the Glenn Highway ITS Safety Corridor project that will include a network of travel time sensors and cameras,” according to an Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities press release.

At the state’s main website for traffic information — 511.alaska.gov — people can sign up to get traffic information sent to their phones, delivered via RSS feed or through Facebook.

“Agencies benefitting from this technology include ADOT&PF Maintenance and Operations, ADOT&PF and Municipality of Anchorage Transportation Planning staff, traffic and safety personnel, and local law enforcement,” according to the press release.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.