Road construction, a test of patience, will be a major part of the next five summers for locals. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has six major construction and repair projects planned.

Work began last summer with Phase 1 of the upgrade to Eagle River Loop Road, and Phase 2 work resumed already this year. Also underway is the first phase of a major renovation to the Old Glenn Highway.

Other projects on tap include: resurfacing of the Glenn Highway between Hiland Road and Eklutna to address ruts in the road; installing lighting on the Glenn Highway from South Birchwood Loop Road to Eklutna; Phase 2 of the Old Glenn renovation from South Birchwood to Peters Creek; and the widening of Eagle River Road.

Some of the projects moved up their schedule to receive federal stimulus dollars, namely the Glenn Highway rut repairs and lighting, and the second phase of the Old Glenn Highway.

The remaining projects have been, or will be, funded with state capital project dollars.

Old Glenn Rehabilitation

Phase 1 work began in April with the clearing or trees and brush on the Old Glenn to make way for the widening of the road, a new pedestrian path and 4-foot shoulders between Fire Lake and South Birchwood.

The highway will be also be widened at the intersection of South Birchwood Loop Road to accommodate left and right turn lanes.

Mike Morris, DOT’s onsite project manager, said there would be several road closures this summer, but he was not sure of the schedule.

He added that residents could find updates on the closures online at www.alaskanavigator.org.

Phase 2 of the Old Glenn project, from South Birchwood to Ski Road in Peters Creek is expected to be put out for bid in September, according to DOT project design manager Jim Amundsen.

The estimated $20 million project will include similar improvement to those made in the first phase, plus a short truck climbing lane will be added just north of the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Station, left turn pockets will be added at North Birchwood and Ski Road and the bridge across Peters Creek will be replaced.

“Thanks to federal money we were able to move this project up a year,” Amundsen said. “I expect clearing to be done next April and the bulk of the heavy construction work to be completed by the end of the summer.”

Eagle River Loop Road construction

The second year of work on the $12 million Eagle River Loop Road rehabilitation project is well underway, as construction crews have been working through the night to update the lower portion of the road.

When work is complete in the fall, there will be a center turn lane, as well as pedestrian paths and lighting over the length of the road.

Ted Meyer, project engineer for DOT, said the focus this summer will be on the portion of Eagle River Loop Road near the Old Glenn Highway intersection.

“Plans call for a median and an additional turn lane will be built at the intersection,” he said. “The median will limit turns near the intersection, improving traffic flow.”

There will be some temporary closures of the road during the project, but Meyer said like last year, “every effort will be made to keep one lane open for local access.”

For additional information about the project and road closure information go to www.eagleriverloop.com.

Glenn Highway upgrades

The Glenn Highway resurfacing and lighting projects are scheduled for work in late summer or early next spring, depending on weather and the bid process.

The $10 million lighting project will create a lighting corridor along the Glenn Highway from South Birchwood Loop to Eklutna, extending the existing lighting all the way from downtown Anchorage.

The estimated $18 million project to resurface the Glenn Highway between Hiland Road and Eklutna has already been sent to bid, according to DOT project manager Cynthia Ferguson.

“Not only will the work include resurfacing the highway to address the growing problem of ruts, but also include making needed bridge repairs along the road,” Ferguson said.

Bridges over Peters Creek and Eagle River need new railings and have had temporary Jersey barriers in place for several years.

Ferguson said when work on resurfacing begins commuters can expect lane closures during the duration of the project.

“Most of the work will be done in the evening when there is less traffic on the highway,” Ferguson said. “There might be some closures required when they are working on the bridges, but the highway should be open to traffic throughout the project.”

DOT is also resurfacing the Glenn Highway from the Park Highways to the Palmer-Wasilla Highway this summer. Ferguson said both projects should be completed by mid-August.

Eagle River Road improvements

The Eagle River Road rehabilitation is the only unfunded major construction project in the near future.

The planned improvements from Upper Terrace Street (Mile 5.3) to the end of the paved roadway at the Eagle River Nature Center (Mile 12.6) are scheduled for construction in 2012 or 2013.

“The project will extend the service life of the road and enhance both safety and capacity,” Amundsen said. “The project involves resurfacing, and widening of the current road based on an analysis of the crash history and traffic volume.

Crews are completing preliminary design in preparation for the right of way acquisition phase of the project.

For updated information about this project, visit www.eagleriverloop.com/eagleriverroad/.

Reach the reporter at darrellbreese.@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, May 21, 2009.