(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) –The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), in coordination with the community of Tanana, will hold a celebration Monday, Aug. 29, to mark the completion of the Road to Tanana. The celebration will be at 2 p.m. at the end of the road, near the banks of the Yukon River with a reception to follow in Tanana.

The project, funded by the State of Alaska, involved constructing 20 miles of new road and upgrading 14 miles of existing road. The new single-lane, gravel road is a continuation of Tofty Road near Manley, to the south banks of the Yukon River, about 6 miles from the city of Tanana. Funding for the project was appropriated in FY2012, construction on the project started in 2014, and cost $13.7 million.

The road will bring significant benefits to Tanana in the form of reduced freight and cargo fees and reduced transportation costs for residents and visitors. The road will also increase access to mineral development in the Interior. There will not be regular winter maintenance on the road, but it will be opened in early spring in coordination with the City of Tanana’s Yukon ice road construction efforts.

Attendees of Monday’s event will include Gov. Bill Walker and ADOT&PF Commissioner Marc Luiken.

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.”

# # #

 

Main Newsroom Page