The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is starting the Seward Hwy & Alyeska Hwy Intersection Improvement project which seeks to improve the capacity, operation and safety of the intersection. See the project study area map below.

The Alyeska Hwy intersection at Mile Post 90 of the Seward Hwy is an important node along the 125-mile scenic byway and falls within the Safety Corridor. It is the gateway into Girdwood, and offers the only major stop for fuel and groceries between Anchorage and Seward. The current intersection is an at-grade tee configuration with left and right turn lanes on the Seward Hwy and a free right for Anchorage-bound traffic coming from Alyeska Hwy. Seward Hwy traffic is characterized by extreme seasonal peaks, with July volumes almost six times that of January volumes. That reduces the number of available gaps for turning vehicles, leading to increased delay. This is exacerbated by the many access points around the Tesoro Station Mall and associated turning movements.

While the intersection itself does not experience a higher-than-expected crash rate when compared to similar intersections throughout the state, many of the crashes that have occurred involve left-turning vehicles. These crashes have the potential to be high-severity and involve the movements that experience the most delay. Alternatives that reduce the delay for left turns are likely to also improve safety for these movements.

SCOPE:

DOT&PF has funded the project for engineering, environmental and public involvement activities through the selection of an alternative and development of the design to the 30% level, including compliance with the Municipality of Anchorage’s (MOA) Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Policy and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

SEWARD HWY & ALYESKA HWY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT STUDY AREA MAP
 

CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTION (CSS) PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS:

The MOA requires that the Strategy for Context Sensitive Design of Transportation Projects (CSS) be applied to transportation projects within the MOA, including those owned and managed by DOT&PF. Therefore, the Seward Hwy & Alyeska Hwy Intersection Improvements project will be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Urban Design Commission prior to final design and construction.

MOA CSS agency coordination will include a Pre-Application Conference with MOA agencies, an introductory/informational presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission, an application submission with the recommended alternative, and a second appearance for a public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission. This project is currently scoped through the completion of the NEPA document.
 

CONCEPT REPORT
As part of the Municipality of Anchorage’s Context Sensitive Solutions for Transportation Project review process, a Concept Report for the Seward Hwy & Alyeska Hwy Intersection Improvements Project has been submitted for informational review by the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The Concept Report is available for your review here!

More information, including the Concept Report Appendicies are avaialble on our project website: www.sewardalyeskahwyintersection.com

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE #1 WAS HELD DECEMBER 10, 2020:

The purpose of this project is to improve the safety, operation, and capacity of this intersection. At this early stage in the project’s development, DOT&PF was seeking input on what values should drive the alternative selection process, what alternatives should be considered, what experiences you have had with this intersection, or any other input you may have.

View the open house summary & presentation here!

CONTACTS:

Department of Transportation & Public Facilities                      R&M Consultants, Inc.

Project Manager                                                                             Public Involvement Lead                      Project Engineer
Christina Huber, PE                                                                          Van Le, AICP                                          Marc Frutiger, PE, PTOE
907.269.0572                                                                                   907.646.9659                                          907.646.9661
christina.huber@alaska.gov                                                            vle@rmconsult.com                                mfrutiger@rmconsult.com

For questions and comments on the Seward Hwy & Alyeska Hwy Intersection Improvements project, please contact Van Le, AICP, the Public Involvement Lead for the project at vle@rmconsult.com.