Construction is in full swing on the Moose Creek Dam Modification Project

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - A “Mega Project” is underway as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts one of the biggest civil works projects in over 30 years. The Moose Creek Dam Modification Project also known as the “Mega Project”, is occurring at the Chena Lake Recreation Area on the top of the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project.

An open house was held on Friday, July 29 to explain to the community what the Moose Creek Dam Modification Project is all about.

Steven Howard, Chief of the Project Management Section for Civil Works, for the Army Corps of Engineers gave an overview of the Mega Project.

Howard says, “The $148 million dollar project is being constructed to extend the life of the dam by strengthening the infrastructure.”

Construction being done stretches over four and a half miles long with a barrier wall through the center of the dam to roughly 60 feet on average. The thickness of the wall is nearly two feet and consists of a mixture of cement and bentonite, a clay type material.

Because of the size and complexity of the project Howard says it is going to take several years to complete given the short summer construction season.

Howard explains, “The contractor has been working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we anticipate that will continue through the subsequent years of the construction.”

“Impacts to those recreating in the area will be minor delays on the roadway and increased vehicle use during construction season. Currently there is a stop light set up with one lane traffic,” continues Howard.

“Construction this year will last as long as the year allows it to. We expect that to be around mid-October. But I guess the residents of Fairbanks and North Pole know that Mother Nature makes that call.” said Howard.

Howard adds, “The dam will continue to operate while the construction is being done, should a flood occur.”

For more information about this project visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website. You can also get the latest updated information on the Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Facebook.

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