Vine Road open after earthquake damage

WASILLA — Mat-Su Borough Director of Emergency Services Otto Feather announced the opening of Vine Road Dec. 8, only eight days following the 7.0 earthquake that rocked the borough on Nov. 30.

Feather said that the temporary repairs, paving and striping has been done and it is open for business. Feather thanked the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and the Mat-Su Borough for working in close collaboration with borough contractors Northern Asphalt and McKenna Brothers Paving.

On Dec 5 the borough announced the Vine Road project was transferred to Alaska DOT to make temporary repairs.

According to borough officials at a press conference on Dec. 4 Vine Road was the most dramatically affected road, followed by Point MacKenzie Road, which suffered eight-foot cracks in some areas. West Susitna Parkway suffered over 50 cracks in the same area.

On Dec 7, borough officials announced that Point MacKenzie Road temporary repairs are complete and open to two-way traffic. Permanent repairs are estimated at $2.5 million.

West Expectations Road suffered minor damage and is also scheduled for repair this coming summer at an estimated $40,000. Settlers Bay Drive repairs were scheduled for Dec 7. Project completion was expected the same day but no official announcement has been made.

Beaver Lake Road temporary repairs are complete. Permanent repairs are also expected during the summer of 2019 along with Horseshoe Lake Road and South Trunk Road.

South Trunk Rd estimated repairs are estimated at $25,000.

The Northbound lane on the railroad overpass bridge on South Trunk Rd. suffered damage that is not a traffic hazard. The temporary repairs are scheduled for Dec 10 and are estimated at a cost of $6,500.

Larkspur Hill Circle suffered cracks in the pavement and temporary repairs are complete costing $12,350. Permanent repairs are expected to cost $30,000.

Hemlock Drive has been temporarily repaired at $11,200 in costs, permanent repairs are estimated at $25,000 and South Colleen Road temporary shoulder repairs have begun costing $7,580 and permanent repairs are estimated at $40,000.

Matanuska Spur Road suffered cracks on the shoulder and guardrail damage. Temporary repairs are complete at a cost of $12,798. Permanent repairs are estimated at $60,000.

All permanent repairs are scheduled for the summer of 2019. Other paved roads will be assessed during the spring after snow and ice have melted.