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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

NORTHERN REGION
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Chena Hot Springs Road Improvements
Project No. 0650(026)/63467 & 0650(029)/NFHWY00289

Project area

The DOT&PF seeks to improve safety and mobility and to reduce annual pavement maintenance costs through the construction of two roundabouts at the intersection of the Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road (CHSR) and by rehabilitating milepost (MP) 0-6 of CHSR from the Old Steese Highway to Nordale Road in Fairbanks.

After careful consideration of comments received through public involvement, examining the results of telephone surveys, and incorporating feedback into the project design, DOT&PF moved forward with the construction of the Steese/CHSR roundabouts and roadway surface rehabilitation on CHSR from MP 0-6 (Old Steese to Nordale). Construction on the roundabouts began in 2020. Construction continues in 2021 to complete the roundabouts and rehabilitate miles 0-6.

Project area roundabouts Click here for PDF file

Project Objectives

    • Improve Safety
      • National studies show that intersections converted to roundabouts reduce fatalities by an average of 90% and reduce crashes that cause injury by an average of 76%.
      • Local roundabout conversions support the national statistics. In the 10 years since roundabouts were built in North Pole, there have been zero injury crashes and a 68% reduction in overall crashes.
      • Reduced grades on CHSR at the intersection and flattening crest curves will improve sight distance and ease of travel through intersection

    • Improve Mobility
      • 8,000 vehicles travel through the intersection at the Steese Highway and CHSR every day. 4,000 more vehicles travel on CHSR through Nordale Road. That volume is expected to grow with the development of North Pole and Northeast Fairbanks, which will increase congestion. Roundabouts offer the least amount of delay compared to stop-controlled intersections and traffic signals.
      • The east roundabout will be have a bypass lane for northbound Steese Highway traffic to turn eastbound on CHSR, completely bypassing the roundabouts.
      • Rehabilitating the roadway will allow for more comprehensive repairs to the frost heaves, making for a smoother driving surface from Nordale Road to the Steese Highway. In addition, the Old Steese Highway intersection will be paved from W. Division St to Swan Lane, including a short section of improvement where Swan Lane (US Post Office access road) intersects the Old Steese Highway.

Project area west end

What to expect in 2021

Construction of the roundabouts was mostly completed in 2020. In 2021 the contractor will be installing permanent lighting, adding a high-friction surface treatment to the pavement within the roundabouts, and making adjustments to signage based on feedback we have heard from the community.

The contractor will also be rehabilitating the pavement on the first six miles of CHSR from the roundabouts to Nordale Road in two-mile sections at a time. Drivers can expect 20-minute delays through the construction zone with flaggers and pilot cars.


Contractor Exclusive Paving excavates in preparation for constructing the roundabouts bypass lane
in the summer of 2020. Photo by DOT&PF staff.