(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and Pruhs Construction, are starting work on a $2 million, seven mile repaving project on Knik Goose Bay Road. The repaving will restore the roadway to acceptable driving conditions until the department can start phase one of a major reconstruction project in late 2021.

“The immediate repairs and longer-term reconstruction of this Highway Safety Corridor is of utmost importance to Governor Dunleavy,” said John MacKinnon, DOT&PF Commissioner. “We committed to the residents to keep the roadway in the best shape that we could until the department starts reconstruction late next year. It’s a matter of safety.”

Knik Goose Bay was designated as a Highway Safety Corridor in 2009 because of a higher than average fatal and serious injury crashes. After several years of no traffic deaths, the roadway has been the site of 15 fatalities since 2015.

The repairs will stretch from Fern Street to Settler’s Bay and will place an asphalt overlay to fill in ruts, cracks and potholes in order to restore the pavement to a smooth, predictable, and safe driving surface. The department contracted with Pruhs Construction to complete the work, which will start May 15 and be conducted at night to minimize disruptions to the traveling public.

“Increasing public safety is the commitment I made to all Alaskans when I took this office. This improves a road that has taken far too many Alaskans away from their families. I look forward to this project’s completion and the start of the major reconstruction project,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy.

The reconstruction project starting late next year will change Knik Goose Bay Road from a two-lane opposing traffic roadway, to a four-lane divided highway with controlled access. Phase one, from Centaur Avenue to Fairview Loop, will start in late 2021 and construction is expected to be substantially complete in fall of 2023. Phase two, Fairview Loop to Settlers Bay Drive, is expected to start in 2023, concluding in late 2025. For more information on the reconstruction project, please check KnikGooseBay.com.

For construction updates on this summer’s repaving project, please check AlaskaNavigator.org or 511.alaska.gov.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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