Construction Report: Sidewalks added to 5th and 8th Avenue in North Pole

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - In between Santa Claus Lane and Snowman Lane in North Pole, two intersections are undergoing construction work this summer.

According to Aaron Leslie, Engineering Technician Journeyman with the Alaska Department of Transportation. “We are installing two new pedestrian facilities, those are sidewalks, 10 feet wide, on 5th and 8th Avenue in North Pole.”

The area sees regular foot traffic, and the goal of the project is to increase pedestrian access. The path is also being made Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

This project is creating sidewalks where none existed prior, according to Leslie, with sidewalks that had previously terminated now wrapping around to adjoin the next street.

Work on this project began in June, and the construction at 5th Avenue has already completed.

Meanwhile, the goal is for the 8th avenue construction to be completed in the next week or two. “Got some striping and signing to do, but the sidewalks themselves and the asphalt will be done by the end of this week, hopefully,” Leslie said.

Meanwhile, the wet weather being seen in the Interior creates obstacles to completion. “If there’s a lot of water, you can’t pave,” Leslie explained. “You can’t put asphalt down because it just messes with everything.”

With school set to start on August 17, Leslie said efforts are being made not to interfere with school-related activities in the area. “School bus drivers are doing practice runs, and so we need to have everything open for them to do their full practice runs because 8th Avenue in particular has three stop signs. You’ve got one here, you get one at the tracks and you got one on the Old Rich.”

While construction continues, travelers are recommended to use 5th Avenue to get from Santa Claus Lane to Snowman Lane.

However, flaggers are standing by if someone needs to access the affected area.

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