HSIP: Palmer-Fishhook Rd & Trunk Rd Roundabout
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will construction start and finish?
Pending available funding, construction may begin as early as summer 2025 and last through summer 2026, with no work occurring during winter months. There may be minor work to finish up the project in the spring of 2027, like final striping and removing temporary erosion control measures.
- During construction, will I still have access to my home or business? Will the road be closed?
Local access to homes and businesses will remain open throughout construction. For the most part, traffic will be maintained during construction and take place outside of the busiest hours; however, there may be one or two short-term, temporary road closures for through traffic. These will be scheduled to occur at night and low-traffic times to avoid, or minimize, impacts to the traveling public and advance notice will be given. Noise around homes will also be mitigated by scheduling certain types of work during the day outside of rush hour to limit disturbances.
- Is this a mini roundabout like the one at Bogard & Seldon?
No. This is a full-sized, single-lane roundabout with a 140-foot outer diameter. It will be similar in size to other roundabouts in the area, such as those along Trunk Road.
- Why a roundabout instead of a traffic signal?
Roundabouts are a proven safety measure in the United States, including Alaska. They're safer than signals because they have fewer conflict points (crossing, diverging, and converging), vehicles don't have to cross any opposing traffic, driver's views are directed to check for pedestrians and vehicles to their left, and speeds are lower. So, when a crash does happen, it's less severe. This safety characteristic contributed to the successful nomination of funds for this project through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).
Also, roundabouts cost less to build, operate, and maintain than signalized intersections. Signalized intersections require expensive items such as large steel poles, underground wires, and electronic equipment that require routine maintenance, additional power utilities, and constant electricity to operate. Roundabouts require the same amount of maintenance as typical stop-controlled intersections, and they don't require electricity. When the power goes out, roundabouts still work!
- Why not just lower the speed limit on the existing roads?
Drivers tend to drive the speed they feel comfortable with. With a few exceptions (e.g., school zones and work zones), it doesn't do any good to only install new speed limit signs since most drivers will continue to drive the same speed they drove before the new signs went up. This can create a new safety concern involving high speed-differentials between drivers traveling at the lower/posted speed and drivers traveling at the higher/comfortable speed, increasing crash/injury severity.
In addition, creating a speed zone for a short segment is problematic because many drivers will ignore the lower speed limit, creating a false sense of safety for drivers abiding by the posted speed. It's also difficult for law enforcement to enforce speed limits on short stretches of roadway since they would have to park and sit near the intersection for prolonged periods of time, pulling them away from higher priority duties.
- Why just one lane, instead of two-lanes in the roundabout? Is the area projected to grow, why not build two lanes now?
Traffic models indicate that a single-lane roundabout is adequate for the projected growth rate in the area for at least 20 years after construction.
We aren't adding a second lane now because single-lane roundabouts are actually safer than two-lane roundabouts. This is because they are simpler for drivers to navigate, have fewer conflict points between vehicles traveling the same direction around the roundabout's center, prevent vehicles from speeding through the roundabout by being narrower between curb faces, and don't require non-motorized users to cross two lanes of vehicle traffic. Adding a second lane to this roundabout wouldn't provide any benefits, and only decrease safety for all users.
Lastly, Trunk Road and Palmer-Fishhook Road are currently only one lane in each direction at this location. If or when they are ever widened due to an unexpected growth in vehicle traffic, the roundabout would most likely be widened as well.
- It's really difficult to turn left at this intersection. How will this help that?
Drivers entering the roundabout only have to worry about yielding to one lane and direction of slow-moving traffic in the same direction as your entering vehicle, instead of two lanes of high-speed traffic moving in two opposing directions. Since roundabouts reduce speed using curved roadway geometry, it will be easier to find a gap in the flow of traffic to make a left turn.
- What safety measures are being proposed for non-motorized users at this roundabout?
Shared-use pathways (8-10-feet wide) are being proposed around the entire roundabout with accessible curb ramps crossing each of the three legs. Pedestrians will only need to cross one direction of traffic at a time since there will be pedestrian refuges in the medians at each roundabout leg (entrance/exit to the roundabout).
Cyclists riding on the shoulder along either roadway can ride up or down a ramp at any of the roundabout entrances or exits so they can utilize the shared-use pathways. They can then cross the legs using the curb ramps, similar to a pedestrian. Instead of using these bike ramps, they can choose to remain in the vehicle lane and ride through the roundabout like a vehicle if they feel comfortable.
- What will the speed be through the roundabout?
20-25 mph, maximum.
- Will large trucks and semis be able to maneuver through the roundabout?
Yes. The roundabout is designed with a truck apron on the inside of the roundabout around the central landscaping area, surrounded by 4-inch tall curb. This special curb is designed to be uncomfortable for regular vehicles to drive over, but trailers can roll over it with little difficulty at slow speeds.
Oversize trucks will be able to go through the roundabout with a special permit and by slowly rolling over medians and removing signs from their foundations in advance. Older roundabouts weren't as truck-friendly, but engineers have learned from those and adapted their designs to accommodate larger vehicles.
- Will the project require right-of-way (ROW) acquisition?
No permanent ROW acquisition is necessary to construct these improvements; however, temporary construction easements and/or permits may be necessary for driveways.
- How much lighting will be added?
To adequately light the roundabout and improve safety, less than ten light poles with LED lights will be constructed around the roundabout, entrances, and exits. These are the only lights that are planned.
- What will the center of the roundabout look like?
The design is still being developed but it will have some landscaping (e.g., vegetation, small boulders, rocks, etc.) that doesn't obstruct sight lines, prevents drivers from driving across the center of the roundabout, and doesn't require on-going maintenance.
- Who do I contact if I have questions, comments, or concerns?
Feel free to contact the Public Involvement Coordinator, Joann Mitchell by email, phone or mail:
Joann Mitchell, PE
Kinney Engineering, LLC
Public Involvement Coordinator
3909 Arctic Blvd, Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 344-7590
Email: Joann.Mitchell@kinneyeng.com
It is the policy of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska Funds.
The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, and/or special modifications to participate in this public meeting should contact Joann Mitchell at (907) 344-7590 or TDD number [711]. Requests should be made at least five days before the accommodation is needed make any necessary arrangements.