State works to save Old Glenn

BUTTE — With the mighty Matanuska River chomping away at its banks, the state has been busy this summer shoring up the Old Glenn Highway at Mile 15.

“The project that we’re working on there is basically a project that will reinforce the road embankment to better withstand the dynamic flows of the Matanuska River,” said Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Spokesman Rick Feller.

In the background of the heavy equipment and construction fencing is the former Wenner home, famous for news photos in which it dangles over the river after the river swallowed the majority of the Wenners’ land.

Feller said DOT is not moving that house and did not buy it.

“We didn’t have any involvement with any structure except for a driveway that does extend down to the property that was facing that serious erosion,” he said.

He said the project to protect the road cost $544,000. As of Tuesday, it was half done and scheduled to wrap up by the end of this month.

“I understand from our project manager that things are going along very well with the project and we expect to meet or beat that Aug. 31 completion date,” he said.

The project includes building 475 feet of reinforcing embankment that is 20 feet deep.

“The aim there is again to protect the roadway so we’re not with this project attempting to redirect the river or address the larger higher level of concern that exists within the community about the Matanuska River and high water and flooding in general,” he said.

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