A 7.5-mile long, 18-foot wide gravel extension of Kenai Spur Highway is “substantially complete” ahead of the project’s shutdown for winter, Kenai Peninsula Borough Purchasing and Contracting Director John Hedges said during the borough assembly’s Dec. 1 meeting.

The borough first entered into a grant agreement with the Western Federal Lands Highway Division to construct the extension in January 2017. The extension runs along the Kenai Spur Highway right of way from Captain Cook State Park and ending near Otter Creek.

“‘Substantially complete’ essentially means for all intents and purposes it can be used by us,” Hedges said. “There’s some cleanup items, there’s going to be some things that we need to address in the springtime, but overall the road is ready for its intended use.”

The grant agreement was extended to Dec. 31, 2021 to allow for the rest of the project to be complete. Improvements to Jacob’s Ladder Trail access at Leif Creek are also included in the project scope and are being funded by a grant from the state.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.