Fairview Loop Road Pathway & Safety Improvements Project Number: NFHWY00748/Pending

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Project Scope

The State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is working on an exciting project to improve Fairview Loop. This project will construct spot rehabilitation and safety improvements on Fairview Loop between Top of the World Circle and South Bearing Tree Way. Improvements will include:

• Wider Lanes and Shoulders: The road will have more space to ensure a safer and smoother drive.
• Minor Realignments: Adjustments will be made based on past accident data to improve safety.
• Spot Safety Improvements:
• Marble Way and South Bearing Tree Lane
• Hayfield Road/Lupine Lane and Fern Street
• New Multiuse Pathway: A separated pathway for pedestrians and cyclists will be built from Top of the World Circle to Fern Street.

Funding

Initially funded by the State of Alaska, the project now has additional support from both state and federal sources. This combined funding will help cover the costs for the design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and construction.

Schedule

Construction will take place in stages. The timeline for each stage will depend on when right-of-way acquisitions and utility relocations are completed. We will keep you updated as the project progresses.

Spot Improvement Locations and Descriptions

Stage 1 will include the spot improvements at Sites E, F, G and H. Please refer to the project overview graphic with locations of improvements and corresponding letters.

• Site E - Togiak Avenue: We’ll be flattening out the curve along Fairview Loop near Togiak Avenue to make driving safer. Additionally, minor adjustments will be made to the intersections of Togiak Avenue, South Valley Loop, and East Sue Lane to enhance visibility and improve sight lines.
• Site F - Cotten Drive & Davis Road: The road alignment between Cotten Drive and Davis Road will be straightened to improve visibility. We’ll also make small realignments at the intersections of Cotten Drive, South Candywine Road, East Kibby Drive, and Davis Road to ensure better sight lines.
• Site G - Cottonwood Creek: The existing culvert at Cottonwood Creek, which is in poor condition, will be replaced with a new one.
• Site H - Cottonwood Slough: We will also replace the existing culvert at Cottonwood Slough.

Stage 2 construction will include the spot improvements at Sites A through D.

• Site A - Marble Way: We’ll be flattening the grades and extending the vertical curves along Fairview Loop near Marble Way to increase safety and improve visibility. Additionally, the intersection with Marble Way will be realigned slightly to enhance sight lines.
• Site B - Carl Drive: The road grades and curves along Fairview Loop and Carl Drive will be adjusted to help improve visibility and safety for drivers.
• Site C - Lookout Drive: Similar to the other sites, we’ll be flattening the grades and extending the vertical curves near Lookout Drive to improve sight lines and make driving conditions safer
• Site D - Fern Street: We’ll be adding dedicated left turn lanes on Fairview Loop and Fern Street to ease traffic flow. The road grades and curves along Fairview Loop will also be adjusted to improve sight lines at the intersection.

Additionally, we will rehabilitate Fairview Loop between Hayfield Road/Lupine Lane and Fern Street. This includes updating the roadbed and construction of a new non-motorized pathway for pedestrians and cyclists to enhance safety and accessibility.

Additional Spot Improvement Locations

As part of our ongoing improvements, we will also address the following areas:

• Site I - Hayfield Road/Lupine Lane: We will replace the current stop-controlled intersection with a new roundabout. This change will help improve traffic flow and safety at the junction of Hayfield Road and Lupine Lane.
• Site J - East Rodd/Patty Drive: To improve traffic flow, we’ll widen the right-side shoulder on the west side of Fairview Loop between East Rodd Circle and Patty Drive. This adjustment will help vehicles pass those turning left into Patty Drive and East Rodd without needing a dedicated left turn lane. This is a countermeasure as there is not sufficient left turn traffic to warrant a designated left turn lane. Additionally, we’ll replace the existing three-radii horizontal curve with a smoother, single-radius curve. The road’s finished grade profile will be flattened and the vertical curves lengthened to improve intersection sight distance, particularly at the intersection with Chugach View Drive.

Fairview Loop Speeds

We understand that many residents are concerned about speeding along Fairview Loop and its effects on safety. Speeding can lead to increased crash severity and negatively impact residents’ daily experiences. Our project aims to address these issues by implementing several key measures:

• Improved Road Design: By flattening curves, widening lanes, and enhancing sight lines, we’re making the road safer and more accommodating to all users. These changes are designed to naturally encourage safer driving speeds.
• Spot Improvements: Specific areas will receive targeted improvements, such as better signage, updated intersection geometry, and smoother curves, all aimed at reducing the likelihood of crashes.
• Increased Safety Features: We are adding safety measures such as roundabouts and dedicated turn lanes to manage traffic flow more effectively and reduce crash risk.

Our goal is to create a safer driving environment and improve overall road safety for everyone along Fairview Loop. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as these improvements are made.

Is it possible to increase coverage by troopers to catch speeders?
Our focus is on enhancing road safety through design improvements. For concerns about speeding, please reach out to Dispatch at 352-5401 and select 1 for the Troopers. Your feedback is valuable in helping keep our roads safe. Thank you for your help!

Safety on Curves & Turns

How can we increase safety on the 90° turns or blind corners on Fairview Loop?
To enhance safety on sharp turns and blind corners along Fairview Loop, we’re focusing on several key strategies:

• Widening Curves: By increasing the curve radius, we can make the turn smoother and better align with driver expectation, helping drivers navigate more safely.
• Improving Sight Distance: We’ll enhance visibility by clearing vegetation and adding shoulders, ensuring drivers can see upcoming turns more clearly.
• Banking the Curve: We’ll adjust the road’s cross-slope (known as superelevation) to help vehicles stay stable as they navigate the curve.
• Adding Warning Signs and Curve Delineators: We’ll install advanced curve warning signs to alert drivers in advance and help guide drivers through curves more safely.

What are some ways to improve safety at existing intersections?
To enhance safety at intersections, we’re considering several key strategies:

• Better Geometries: Improving road curves, elevations, and intersecting geometry for clearer sight lines.
• Clearing Vegetation: Cutting trees and brush to improve visibility.
• Consistent Road Design: Ensuring uniform lane widths, consistent road surfaces, and signage.
• These updates follow AASHTO guidelines and DOT&PF standards to make intersections safer and more predictable for all drivers.

What else can be done to make Fairview Loop a safer road?
To further enhance safety on Fairview Loop, we are:

• Adding Consistent Shoulders: Installing 1-foot paved and 1-foot gravel shoulders to provide a recovery area and minimize the risk of run-off-the-road crashes. These shoulders help create a safer transition from the road edge by eliminating an abrupt pavement edge.

These improvements are part of our commitment to making Fairview Loop a safer road for everyone.

Crashes

The 2023 update to the crash analysis reveals several key trends on Fairview Loop.

• Increased Traffic: Traffic volumes have increased on Fairview and major side streets.
• Overall Crashes: Crashes have risen from approximately 17.6 crashes/year to 22.9 crashes/year.
• Segment Crashes: Non-intersection crashes have slightly decreased from 13 to 12.1 crashes/year.
• Intersection Crashes: Crashes at intersections have increased significantly, from 4.6 to 10.8 per year.
• Single Vehicle Crashes: These have decreased from 74% to 48% of total crashes.
• Multi-Vehicle Crashes: These have risen from 26% to 52%, reflecting the increase in intersection related crashes.
• Crash Severity: The severity of crashes has remained largely unchanged.

Additional areas with high crash clusters have been identified where further geometric improvements might be beneficial, beyond the current project scope.

Pathway

The project will feature a separated multi-use pathway from Top of the World Circle to Fern Street (formerly Edlund Drive). This pathway will be centered around Snowshoe Elementary, catering to the significant pedestrian traffic originating from and heading to the school.

Right of Way (ROW)

Will the project be adding to the right of way in the spot improvement locations and along the separated pathway?
Yes, the project will require additional right-of-way in areas where the new improvements extend beyond the existing boundaries. This includes both the spot improvement locations and the separated pathway. This is important because the state has a legal obligation to ensure the planned improvements are constructed and maintained within properties the DOT&PF has secured legal entry.

How will I know if my property will be impacted by right of way requirements?
If your property is impacted by the right-of-way (ROW) acquisitions, you’ll be notified through detailed documents that outline the project’s needs. A ROW agent or acquisition agent will contact you, either by mail or in person with a Letter of Offer to Purchase (Letter). The Letter will specify the amount of compensation and identify the property interests and any improvements being acquired. We’ll work with you to address and minimize any impacts related to the ROW acquisition.

What are my rights as a property owner if the project will require some of my land?
If the project requires part of your land, it will follow the guidelines set by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended. This act ensures fair treatment and provides specific rights and processes for property owners. For detailed information on your rights, you can download the document here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/.