FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – The Alaska Dept. of Transportation (DOT) is working with local companies to complete the final leg of a project that saw most of the work completed last season.
After years of construction, including replacing a bridge, renovations to University Avenue were completed in 2023.
While work on University Avenue itself is complete, the overall project will finally be fully completed this season.
Last week, the Department of Transportation began work on a dead-end road at the end of Marlin Road, commonly referred to as the Airport Way Frontage Road. This area connects to Teddy Bear Plaza, where many businesses are located. “It’s the last little check mark we have on the major University Avenue project that began in 2018,” said John Perreault, spokesman for the Department of Transportation.
In addition to University Way, this road work includes the exchange of land between the surrounding businesses and the right of way for the Department of Transportation. “In order to put together the full size of the cul-de-sac for a normal street configuration, we had to acquire a portion of the local businesses’ parking lot and exchange a portion of the old access road that led to Geraghty (Avenue) to convert it into the parking lot for the local businesses,” explained Perreault. The parking lot for Smokin’ Deals and Best Bud will be used for the cul-de-sac and will be redesigned after the expansion. The parking lot for Brewsters and Subway will remain the same.
In addition to creating the cul-de-sac, new sewers will also be connected to the existing system. “People will see a closed lane along University Avenue approaching and going right past our work area here at the end of Marlin Street,” Perreault said. The work extends to the side of the road, hence the traffic diversion.
However, this also means that pedestrians have to take detours. “Pedestrians have to go around Geraghty Avenue to get to the intersection of the university and the airport,” said Perreault.
This project is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
Download the Newscenter Fairbanks apps today and stay up to date with the latest news and weather alerts.
All rights reserved.
