Second half of new Trunk Road under way

TRUNK ROAD — Flaggers and smashed up trees, flashing signs and orange safety vests — if you haven’t noticed already, construction season came a little early to the Trunk Road Reconstruction project this year.

“Right now we’re doing clearing,” project manager John Waisanen said Thursday.

Which, if you’ve driven by the area lately on Bogard Road, is more than apparent. A swath of sky is visible to the south where once there were trees. Considering that snow is still on the ground, crews got an early start.

Folks can stop by the job site if they want firewood from the clearing operation. Show up in a pickup and come prepared.

“It would probably be wise to bring a chainsaw,” Waisanen said.

The project is Phase II of the Trunk Road project, which in summer 2010 added a new four-lane, 55 mph connection from the Parks Highway to the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

This second phase will continue the road from the Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Palmer Fishhook Road. Phase one cost $22 million. This second phase carries a $13 million price tag.

In addition to cutting that swath through the trees, crews will be working at the Bogard Road and Palmer Fishhook Road intersections with the current Trunk Road, Waisanen said. The former is a widening effort to make a better approach for a Trunk-Bogard roundabout. Plans actually call for the new Trunk to link up with the old Trunk and follow that old alignment right before it ends at Palmer-Fishhook.

Motorists in the Bogard-Trunk area should expect to see flaggers sporadically this summer. They’ll be there for the clearing and also for some drainage work and when utilities are moved.

But the answer to the million-dollar question — when will we get to drive on this new road? — might be a little disappointing.

“There will probably be some pavement on the Fishhook the Palmer Fishhook portion this year, but we won’t be on the new alignment totally until 2014,” Waisanen said.

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