Phase 1 Federal Project No. 0221(018) | Phase 2 Federal Project No. CFHWY00253 | Phase 2 Federal Project No. 0221(019)
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Kenai Spur Highway Rehabilitation Project: Sports Lake Road to Swires Road.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) plans to rehabilitate and improve the safety of the 5.7-mile segment of the Kenai Spur Highway located between Soldotna and Kenai, Alaska.
The Kenai Spur Highway serves as a critical link between the communities of Kenai and Soldotna. Situated between two five-lane segments, a 5.7-mile segment of the highway from Milepost (MP) 2.4 to 8.1 bottlenecks to two lanes. This part of the roadway has higher crash rates than the statewide average, and also has the second-highest rate of moose collisions in Alaska, so safety improvements are needed. The project is a priority for both the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the State of Alaska. The project is funded with a combination of state and federal funding.
For this rehabilitation project, the five-lane highway design includes two 12-foot through-lanes in each direction and a continuous 14-foot, Two-Way Left-Turn Lane (TWLTL). These project improvements will match the section of Kenai Spur Highway from S. Forest Drive to Swires Road and carry the design through Sports Lake Road. The additional through-lanes will provide safe passing opportunities, reduce traffic platooning, and ease associated driver frustration. The continuous TWLTL is anticipated to provide greater separation for opposing traffic, thereby reducing the risk of head-on collisions. It will also remove vehicles waiting for left-turn opportunities from through-lanes, lowering the risk of rear-end collisions. Continuous lighting will be installed between Delta Avenue and Dolly Varden Street to complete continuous lighting between Kenai and Soldotna.
Phase 1 – Eagle Rock Drive to Swires Road
Phase 1 was completed in summer 2020.
Phase 2 – Sports Lake Road to Eagle Rock Drive
In July and August 2020, a contractor cleared all trees, shrubs, and brush within the highway right-of-way (ROW) and certain utility easements along the road.
The design of the roadway and ROW acquisitions has been completed. However, outstanding issues with utility companies must be resolved before the DOT&PF can advertise the project for competitive construction bids and proceed with utility relocation and construction. Specifically, several utility companies are encountering difficulties sourcing materials that comply with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), a federal requirement for reimbursement. Efforts are ongoing to identify compliant materials. If compliance cannot be achieved, a federal waiver may be requested, but the timeline for obtaining one remains uncertain.
DOT&PF is working toward a spring 2025 construction start but cannot guarantee this timeframe due to factors beyond its control. Updates will be provided on the project website as more information becomes available.
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