Now that the snow has melted and construction season has arrived, crews from Alaska’s Department of Transportation have begun or resumed work on projects across the state, including several on the Kenai Peninsula.
Here is a look at the current timeline for Kenai Peninsula road construction, which is taking place on the Seward Highway, the Sterling Highway, the Old Sterling Highway, the Kenai Spur Highway, Beaver Loop Road in Kenai and Pioneer Avenue in Homer.
Seward Highway
At Mile 50 of the Seward Highway, just north of Summit Lake Lodge, crews with Alaska DOT and QAP construction company are finishing emergency repair work that began in 2019 after a portion of the highway was damaged by the November 2018 earthquake.
Slope and drainage repair, including grading, paving and striping the 300-foot section of highway, was finished during the 2019 construction season, according to the latest information on Alaskanavigator.org.
The work area was temporarily stabilized for the winter, and crews have now resumed topsoil and seeding work, which is expected to be completed this season.
At Mile 32.9 of the Seward Highway, just south of Toklat Way in Moose Pass, crews with Alaska DOT and Tutka, LLC construction company are completing emergency repairs on the culvert where the highway crosses Moose Creek.
Most of the work was finished in the fall of 2019, and crews are currently finishing up the stabilization and seeding of the surrounding area.
Sterling Highway
From Mile 58 to Mile 79 of the Sterling Highway — a 20-mile stretch between Sterling and Cooper Landing — crews with Alaska DOT and Granite Construction are working on a rehabilitation project that is expected to last through the season.
Work on the project will include upgrading passing lanes and the pedestrian walkway for Skyline trail access, road resurfacing and shoulder widening.
Crews will also be replacing the culvert at East Fork Moose River with a new bridge.
Drivers should be aware of crews on the highway from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. During those hours, there will be pilot car and flagging operations as well as equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Last year, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Southcentral Construction installed a four-way traffic signal at the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Main Street in Homer. Work on that project also included grading, paving, signing, striping and installation of ADA compliant facilities. The project is expected to be completed this spring, according to the latest information on Alaskanavigator.org.
Old Sterling Highway
The Old Sterling Highway between Anchor Point and Homer is being paved by crews with Alaska DOT and Tutka, LLC construction company from Mile 0 to Mile 8.7. The road work will consist of ditch grading and armoring, repaving, signage installation and striping and is expected to last through the season. Upon completion, the road will be paved with 11.5-foot lanes.
Drivers should be aware of daily flagging and pilot car operations for this project.
Pioneer Avenue
From May 15 to May 18, the intersection of Bartlett Street and Pioneer Avenue in Homer will be closed as crews with Alaska DOT and SouthCentral Construction remove pavement from Pioneer Avenue. This work is part of a resurfacing project that is expected to be completed in November of this year.
Drivers will have to use the posted detour route via Main Street and Fairview Avenue, but business access will be maintained during this time.
Kenai Spur Highway
On the Kenai Spur Highway between Sports Lake Road and Swires Road, crews with Alaska DOT and Wolverine Construction are continuing a highway rehabilitation project that is expected to last through the 2020 season. The work includes construction of a new pedestrian pathway, drainage improvement, slope extension and signage and striping installation. Upon completion, this stretch of the highway will be five lanes — two in either direction with a center turn lane — and will match the highway lanes starting at Mile 8.
Currently, traffic is running in two lanes down the center of the roadway as crews resume construction. Stop signs and street signs have been installed in the area and traffic delineators are located on either side of the project.
A gravel pathway for pedestrians is in place from Eagle Rock Place to Cole Drive as crews work to install the pedestrian pathway.
A temporary speed limit of 45 miles per hour has been posted in the area, and other temporary speed reductions may be present throughout the duration of the project.
Drivers should be aware of construction vehicles, lane shifts and flagging operations on this portion of the highway.
Beaver Loop Road
Crews with Alaska DOT and QAP construction company are continuing work on the Beaver Loop Road resurfacing project, which is expected to continue through the season.
Starting May 13 and continuing through May 22, crews will be performing foaming operations. Paving will begin after that and is expected to continue through mid-July.
Drivers should expect minor delays and should drive with caution, following all posted signs. The finished roadway will be resurfaced and have new turn lanes and a separated pedestrian pathway.
Project work includes grading installation, drainage improvements, illumination, guardrail installation, signing and striping.
For information on all DOT construction projects, visit alaskanavigator.org.
