September 23, 2024

Thank you for your patience while the steam line is repaired to the Fairbanks Regional Office Building. So far, work is proceeding on schedule. The excavation of 7^th and Barnette and pipe installation has begun. In the parking garage, crews have started excavation and removing the old pipes.

Thank you as well for parking away from the front of the building and keeping that area available for clients and visitors. We’re on pace to finish by the end of October!

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September 6, 2024

Starting the week of September 9th, construction will begin at the intersection of Barnette and 7^th Ave to repair the steam line to the Fairbanks Regional Office Building and get the heat squared away for winter.

As you know, earlier this year, there was a breakage and leak that required the temporary installment of an external boiler that’s been taking up residence in the parking garage. This work will repair the steam line and nearby utilities and reconnect them to the primary boiler in the FROB and is expected to take about two months until the end of October.

Detours

During construction, Barnette will be closed between 6^th and 8^th Ave. 7^th Avenue will also be closed between Barnette and Goldie’s. Detours will be posted.

Parking

The 7^th Ave closure will block the entrance to the FROB Parking Garage and the garage will remain closed during construction. Parking will be available in the UAF parking garage and access will remain open to that garage from Barnette. 8^th Avenue will also be available for parking.

Please leave parking on 7th Avenue clear for clients and visitors to continue to use, in particular the handicapped spaces near the Northeast Entrance.

Internal Air Quality

On April 1st, 2024, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) was notified of a chemical odor in the FROB building. After investigation, it was determined that the odor was caused by an underground steam leak. Aurora Energy, which supplies steam to the facility, uses a common corrosion inhibitor called Tri-ACT in their system. Following consultation with Aurora Energy and Beacon, an industrial hygiene company, DOT&PF Safety representatives confirmed that the level of Tri-ACT in the air was well below the permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Recognizing that individuals may have varying sensitivities to unfamiliar smells, and out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to close the building temporarily until a temporary ventilation system could be installed. Comprehensive air testing for Tri-ACT was conducted, which confirmed that two of the three chemicals in Tri-ACT were below detectable levels, and the third chemical was present at levels far below the PEL.