By KAT SORENSEN
Peninsula Clarion
Summer traffic may be gone, but construction continues on Kenai Peninsula roads.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities released an update on road construction projects underway on the Kenai Peninsula last week detailing what motorists should expect as construction season winds to a close.
The Kenai Spur Highway resurfacing from McKinley Street to Commerce Ave, milepost 12 to milepost 18, will continue through September with construction crews working nightly Monday to Friday. Drivers should expect short delays and motorcyclists should use extreme caution, according to the DOT. Crews are also working on the Kenai Spur Highway from Sports Lake to Swires Road until the end of the season.
The resurfacing of Kalifornsky Beach Road from the Kenai Spur Highway intersection to Bridge Access will continue through the season. Drivers should expect nightly operations with lane closures, flagging operations and the use of pilot cars daily from 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the DOT said.
Construction on left-turn lanes and instersection lighting at Jim Dahler Road and Forest Lane will continue through October daily from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The DOT warns motorists that there may not be a usable shoulder throughout the project, which includes milling and paving operations.
Construction from Skilak Lake to Sterling will continue through October with crews working shifts day and night. Drivers should be aware of pilot cars and flaggers throughout the stretch of construction, but should be extra vigilant around mile post 73 where a new traffic pattern is being utilized and from mile posts 66.5 and 68, near the Kelly Lake access, where foaming and paving operations are taking place, the DOT said.
At the Skyline Trail at milepost 61.3, the DOT said drivers will see a detoured route. The detour will be in place for about four weeks, according to the DOT, while a pedestrian undercrossing to the new Skyline Trailhead is installed.
