Mainline paving of the Old Glenn Highway began Tuesday as road improvements go on ahead of schedule.
Tom Fouts, foreman with Quality Asphalt Paving, said the paving of the main stretch of the Old Glenn Highway would take about four days.
"Paving will be done at night, with lane closures," said Fouts. "After we get the mainline done, we will start on the ramps, side streets and approaches."
Overnight paving will result in a ramp closure tonight. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. and continuing until 6 a.m., the Northbound South Eagle River Access Ramp off the Glenn Highway will be closed for paving. Fouts said additional overnight ramp closures might be necessary.
According to Gary Kobayashi, project engineer with the Department of Transportation, the project has gone smoothly due to good work by Quality Asphalt and understanding residents.
"We're a little bit ahead of schedule," said Kobayashi Monday. "I'm pleasantly surprised how patient the citizens of Eagle River have been with this project. By far, this project has had the most public cooperation of any I have done."
Kobayashi said one big benefit of the quick work was the opening of a right-turn-only lane at the intersection of the Old Glenn and Eagle River Loop Road. The intersection has been the perennial cause of backups and long waits.
"It certainly did reduce the wait time at the signal," said Kobayashi of the new lane prior to the Bear Paw Festival. "It wasn't planned to be done (for the festival), but it sure worked out good."
Kobayashi said public comment has already made at least two changes in the project.
The first, which was brought up at a Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce luncheon before the project began, was a change to decorative fence, which will line the sides of the Old Glenn. Kobayahi said public comments caused the department to consider pedestrian access.
"As of now, we will be adding pedestrian openings," said Kobayashi. Before public comment, the fence would have been continuous except for openings at business driveways, he said.
The second dealt with the curb at the south Juanita Loop intersection. According to Vince French, owner of Glacier Auto Works, the curb has been at improper angle, causing motorists turning left on South Juanita to make a 120-degree turn.
"There was simply not enough room for cars there," said French.
French said he was surprised when road crew came in and built a new curb exactly where the old one was. That's when he called Kobayashi.
Kobayashi said after he was alerted of the possible problem, he surveyed it.
"It was obvious there was a problem, so we moved the curb," said Kobayashi.
French said he was impressed by the quick work and solution by the department of transportation.
"They solved the problem quickly and efficiently," he said. "That wasn't want I was expecting."
The project is expected to continue into September.
Reach the reporter at gdart@alaskastar.com
