Construction Report: Renovations on east College Road

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Dept. of Transportation (DOT) began a project on College Road aimed at improving accessibility for both pedestrians and vehicles on Aug. 7.

Late in the construction season, the DOT has started their work on the east side of College Road, where they are improving both the roadway and sidewalks. “We’ve got a two year project here for the east College Road resurfacing, where we’ll be doing curb and gutter, better ADA ramps for pedestrian access, and resurfacing,” said John Perreault, DOT public information officer. The project area spans from Antoinette Avenue to the Old Steese Highway.

After 30 to 40 years of use without replacement, the tarmac and pathways on the east side of College Road are in great need of renovation for both foot and vehicle use. Renovating the high use area will also help reduce maintenance costs and improve accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. The area is also “critical” for access to residential areas and business operations alike.

While the renovations are much needed, the work has only begun as the project is scheduled for both the 2023 and 2024 construction seasons. “We just got started on this project a little over a week ago and we’re expecting to continue work into Oct.,” said Perreault.

Throughout the project, there will be various temporary closures on the road which will happen at night to limit traffic disruptions. The DOT will also be focusing much of the work on pedestrian pathways, including new on and off ramps for various sidewalks, all of which will be updated with tactile warning plates. More commonly recognized as the yellow or red plates on sidewalks with bumps in them.

While the project is scheduled to last about two years, only a third of the project area will be worked on this year, making up nearly half of the work that will be completed throughout the whole project.

Picking up again early in the 2024 construction season, the DOT will begin construction efforts on the east side of the railroad crossing on College Road, stretching to the Steese Highway. The project should be complete by Aug. 1, 2024.

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