Construction Report: Completing work on University Avenue

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - After five years, the construction on University Avenue is in it’s final stages.

Beginning in 2018, the Alaska Dept. of Transportation (DOT) worked to widen and reconfigure University Avenue, allowing for more traffic to flow through the busy roadway with greater ease.

2023 marks the final stretch in the project as the DOT improves pedestrian accessibility between Airport Way and Holden Drive. They are also working on some utilities. “That’s going on in the closure area between the entrances to the two business here between Airport and Rewak drive,” said John Perreault, a public information officer with the DOT’s Northern Region. “South of Rewak, University stays open and you’re seeing access maintained to all those businesses along there while they continue work.”

Much of the work south of Rewak Drive is focused on rebuilding sidewalks, but some utility work is being done to a water main that provides water to much of west Fairbanks.

To improve pedestrian accessibility, the DOT will be widening the sidewalks, adding higher curbs and ADA compliant curb cuts with additional traction. “We’re going to be able to connect all of the sidewalks from the rebuilt ones all the way over at the Johansen, all the way down to the Mitchell,” Perreault said. “There will be improved sidewalk access for businesses and neighborhoods all along this section.”

Much of the roadwork is already finished which should make for timely completion of the construction in 2023, finally bringing an end to the rehabilitation efforts on University Avenue. “The road design here between Airport and Rewak is already in place,” Perreault said.

As of right now, there is no specific date for completion, but DOT says the work on University Avenue will be over no later than the end of the summer construction season.

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