New route connects Parks Highway with Knik-Goose Bay Road

KNIK/FAIRVIEW — The latest piece of road infrastructure puzzle to ease traffic congestion along Knik-Goose Bay Road slipped into place Wednesday, as the South Mack Drive-Clapp Street realignment project received the traffic green light from transportation officials.

The new road connects the Parks Highway near the Menard Sports Center with Knik-Goose Bay Road at Clapp Street near Mile 4. Previously, access to the Parks south and west of Wasilla was relegated to Vine Road at Mile 7.

The project extended South Mack Drive 1.5 miles to Knik-Goose Bay Road and will provide a future connection to Fairview Loop, according to project planners. The new road begins on South Mack Drive, south of the Parks Highway, and connects with a new Clapp Street alignment to Knik-Goose Bay. The entire length from the Parks Highway to Knik-Goose Bay is roughly 2 miles.

The project was a collaborative effort between the state, borough and City of Wasilla.

“This north-south connection is going to be a huge benefit to relieve congestion on Knik-Goose Bay,” said Mat-Su Borough project manager Bob Walden. “It is going to be especially helpful for those in a 2- to 3-mile radius around that Clapp intersection to get to west Wasilla.”

Walden added that another option for access to the Parks Highway also will be beneficial when planned Knik-Goose Bay upgrades begin near Vine Road in 2017.

Officials gathered Dec. 17 for a planned ribbon cutting, but the road wasn’t opened until Wednesday due to issues with the traffic signal at Clapp Street, Walden said.

“Some bugs had to be worked out with the signals,” Walden said. “Those quite often can take a bit of testing.”

According to state traffic statistics, more than 19,000 cars daily pass through the Knik-Goose Bay intersection with the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. That figure reaches almost 17,000 at the Knik-Goose Bay-Fairview Loop intersection.

Walden said the new road already has a fan — him.

“I live near Mack, and it saves me 10 minutes,” Walden said Tuesday. “It’s just all right turns all the way into Wasilla.”

Walden said the project came in on time and under budget. Walden also credited the work of lead contractor Bristol Environmental.

“They (Bristol) did a good job and had a great rapport with us,” Walden said.

The Dec.17 ribbon cutting ceremony featured a special guest, Judith Clapp Michael, the daughter of Joe Clapp, for whom the street was named. Clapp homesteaded the area in 1965 and worked on construction of the original road.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com