The Alaska Department of Transportation said construction on the Old Glenn Highway was a success this year.
Project manager Gary Kobayashi said crews were able to complete more than they had planned, and the public has been extremely supportive.
"It has been a model as far as how the process should work," said Kobayashi, who oversaw the six months of construction from the Eagle River interchange to the McDonald Recreation Center turnoff. "I wish they all went this easy."
The work on the Old Glenn was divided into two jobs.
The $4 million federally funded Eagle River urban section, from the Eagle River interchange to Access Road was resurfaced by the end of August.
"It has been over 20 years since we had work done on this stretch," said Susan Gorski, executive director of the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce. "We were very happy we made it to the top of the list."
Final work on that section continued into November. Kobayashi said last week that sensors were being put in at the intersections with traffic lights to avoid long waits when little traffic is present.
Fencing along the stretch of highway also was completed in November. The material and labor was funded through federal beautification money mandated by Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions, the local governing body of state transportation projects. By AMATS formula, 15 percent of the cost of a project has to be used for aesthetics.
"Since the road was being redone we were hoping for some streetscaping," said Gorski. "Although we were not able to choose the specific design, the fencing brings a uniform look to the area and more clearly defines business entrances."
In the summer's second Old Glenn project, work beyond the North Eagle River Interchange was benefited immensely by the late snowfall, said Kobayashi. He said not only was asphalt put down, but also work on the drainage is ahead of schedule.
"We were able to finish more than we planned," said Kobayashi of the late season, three-quarter mile reconstruction project.
Kobayashi said next year work will continue in the area, straightening the stretch of road in front of Fred Meyer and adding additional lanes for a total of five, tapered down to two by the McDonald Recreation Center turnoff.
The big project next year on the Old Glenn will likely be the restructuring of the Old Glenn and Access Road intersection.
"With construction on both sides this year, we didn't think tearing up the intersection would be a good idea," said Kobayashi.
Reach the reporter at gdart@alaskastar.com
