Glenn Highway Bridge Deck Preservation

State/Federal Project No: CFHWY00523/0001685

We are working to rehabilitate three bridges along the Glenn Highway: the northbound and southbound Knik River bridges, just south of the Glenn/Parks interchange, and the northbound Peters Creek bridge near Chugiak. All three of these bridges are over 30 years old, and two are almost 60 years old (the northbound Knik River bridge and northbound Peters Creek Bridge were both constructed in the 1960s). The bridges have potholes, ruts, and other maintenance issues that need to be repaired. The purpose of this work is to extend the service lives of the bridges, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety.

Work on this project will include the following:

• Repairing potholes in the concrete decks
• Installing polyester concrete overlay to waterproof the bridges and reduce corrosion
• Replacing the approach slabs to improve the driving surface
• Replacing the expansion joints, damaged drainage hardware, and guardrail as needed
• Upgrading signs and pavement markings
• Working on utilities as needed

Figure 1. An aerial photo of the Knik River bridges. Photo credit Jonathan Tymick, DOT&PF.

How will this impact me?

Work at the Knik River bridges started in 2024 and will continue into 2025. The Peters Creek bridge will be under construction in 2025 and 2026. Continue to check 511.alaska.gov for the most up to date traffic impacts.

2025 Impacts

We will close each of the Knik River bridges for 30 days at a time while they are being rehabilitated. We anticipate the first bridge will close in the spring of 2025. When one bridge is closed the other will remain open at a reduced speed limit to three lanes of traffic, two in one direction and one in the other. There will be two lanes of southbound traffic open during the morning rush to Anchorage. Crews will then shift the median and open two lanes of northbound traffic during the afternoon rush back to the Mat-Su Valley. Drivers should expect congestion and delays.

Figure 2. Three lanes of traffic will be maintained on the open bridge and the middle lane will alternate directions depending on the time of day.

During this construction drivers are encouraged to utilize the full length of all open lanes through a merging technique called the "zipper merge." Drivers remain in both open lanes of traffic until one comes to an end. Drivers in the lane that is ending use their turn signal and take turns merging into the open lane. Drivers in the open lane must consistently let drivers in the other lane merge into their lane. When correctly done, zipper merging can reduce congestion by up to 40%.

Figure 3. A graphic example of how to zipper merge.

Check out this video from our colleagues at the Utah Department of Transportation for a video demonstrating the zipper merge:

Timeline

• September 2024: Temporary detours were constructed on both sides of the Knik River bridges.

• Spring 2025: One Knik River bridge will be closed for 30 days. Traffic will shift onto the open bridge.

• Summer 2025: When construction on the first Knik River bridge is complete it will reopen. The second bridge will close for 30 days and traffic will shift onto the newly preserved bridge.

• Summer 2025/26: Crews work to preserve Peters Creek bridge.

New construction equipment comes to Alaska!

You might be wondering how we're going to move the concrete medians separating traffic every day and allow the middle lane of traffic to alternate directions. Enter the Road Zipper! This machine drives down the median, picks up the heavy concrete dividers and sets them down in their new position. This will allow the crews to shift the median along the 1,532-foot-long bridges twice a day in as little as 15 minutes!

Check out this video of a Road Zipper in action:

The Sergeant James Bondsteel Bridge of Honor

The northbound Knik River bridge is named after Sergeant James Bondsteel, a recipient of the U.S. Medal of Honor. Born in Michigan, Sergeant Bondsteel served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea and then with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. His actions during the 1969 Battle of Anloc in Vietnam earned him the Medal of Honor.

After retiring in the 1980s with over 20 years of military service, Sergeant Bondsteel moved to Alaska where he worked as a counselor at the Wasilla Vet Center and the U.S. Veteran's Administration in Anchorage. Tragically, Sergeant Bondsteel was killed on the northbound Knik River bridge in 1987 at only 39 years of age when a trailer of logs became detached from a logging truck and crashed into his vehicle.

In 2002 the northbound Knik River bridge was named the "Sergeant James Bondsteel Bridge of Honor" to commemorate his life. While working on this project, we will not only preserve the structural integrity of the bridge, but also remember and honor the man it is named after, Sergeant James Bondsteel.

Questions?

Jason Lamoreaux, DOT&PF Construction Project Manager
Email: Jason.Lamoreaux@alaska.gov
Phone: 907-269-0664