Wasilla-area road construction update

I have made District 7 roads a priority. I met with Mike Vigue, DOT Division Director, to review all projects in the works and provide you with the following update; for ease of understanding, I separated the design and construction phases:

DESIGN PHASE:

Seward Meridian Parkway (SMP) Rd. Improvements, PH II, Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Seldon Rd.

This project proposes to upgrade and widen SMP from the Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Bogard Rd. and extend the road one mile to Seldon Rd. It includes widening to 4 lanes, a center turn-lane, and shoulders. Also included are a paved, separated pathway along the west side, lighting, and a replacement of the existing culvert at Cottonwood Creek.

Update: Working toward Plans-in-Hand (70%) review in March 2017. Geotechnical investigation at Cottonwood Creek is anticipated February 2017. DOT's project team will schedule a coordination meeting with key MSB personnel in advance of the PIH Review.

Wasilla Main Street Rehabilitation

This project will construct a one-way couplet in downtown Wasilla bounded by Bogard Road, KGB/Main Street, Yenlo/Talkeetna Street and the Palmer Wasilla Highway. Improvements to Bogard Road will be necessary to make the couplet functional. Work will consist of new road construction, lane reconfigurations, signals, new pavement, signing and striping, and sidewalks.

Update: Environmental "A" re-evaluation currently underway – estimated completion summer 2017. The project is currently under design – estimated PIH fall 2017. Maintenance Agreement in negotiations. ATP through Appraisals & Acquisitions anticipated spring 2018. Construction anticipated to begin spring 2020.

KGB

I'm keeping a close eye on the two KGB projects and am making sure they are moving along. In my meeting with DOT, they assured me that the Centaur to Vine phase, is proceeding in a timely fashion. The Vine to Settler's Bay phase is the project that Governor Walker "paused" at the end of 2016 session. Be assured that the Vine to Settler's Bay project funds are still in place and I will be trying to schedule a meeting with the Governor to see if we can get that project "released" just as he did a Fairbanks project a few weeks ago. There is no room for politics here, the health & safety of Alaskans should be of utmost priority.

Knik Goose Bay Road Centaur Avenue to Vine Road - This project consists of widening Knik-Goose Bay Road to a divided 4 lane facility from Centaur Avenue (near the Parks Highway) to Vine Road, a distance of 6.4 miles. Scope includes separated bike/PED facilities, appropriate safety engineering strategies such as rumble strips and reducing/ combining access points that are determined to be most effective at reducing crashes along the road. The project can be constructed in multiple phases to fit funding.

Update: The Environmental Assessment and survey are complete. Design and geo-technical investigations are currently under way. Right of Way acquisition is anticipated to begin in fall of 2017 and construction of the first phase is anticipated to begin in 2020.

Knik Goose Bay Road Reconstruction, Vine to Settler’s Bay (GF)

Reconstruct from its intersection with the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy to its intersection with Settlers Bay Drive. This project is paused as per the Governor’s direction. The Department is looking at options to move the project forward. Rep. Tilton and I worked on intent language asking Governor Walker to prioritize this project.

CONSTRUCTION PHASE:

The following projects have been designed and are ready to be built:

Lucus Road Improvements Project will include grading, drainage, paving, retaining

wall, signing, striping and illumination. Project design developed by Hattenburg Dilley & Linnell, LLC. Project currently in construction phase.

Update: Scarsella Brothers, Inc is in winter shutdown on Lucus Road Improvements –final stabilization will be needed spring 2017. Project completion date is July 15. 2017.

Bogard Road Resurfacing: N. Lazy Eight Court to E. Stoney Hollow Drive: This project will include resurfacing Bogard Road and Seldon Road intersection with a mini round-about, paving, signing, striping, illumination, and safety improvements. Bids Opened February 24, 2017. Award of contract expected early April. Project completion is August 2017.