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NORTHERN REGION
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FAST Planning 2021 Construction Projects

Project No. NFHWY00282, NFHWY00524, 0002404/NFHWY00246

We are working with Fairbanks Area Surface Transportation Planning (FAST Planning) to construct improvements to intersections, sidewalks, and signs throughout the greater Fairbanks and North Pole areas. These improvements are being construction through three separate projects: FAST Planning Intersection Improvements, FAST Planning Sidewalk Improvements FFY19, and FAST Planning Sign Replacement Stage III.

For more information about FAST Planning, click here.

FAST Planning Intersection Improvements


The condition of the intersection at Chena Pump Road
and Chena Point Road.A new right-turn lane for south-bound
traffic will be installed here.

We are working to improve intersections in different locations around Fairbanks. The purpose of this project is to address problematic intersections where low-cost improvements would provide a benefit to safety or ease-of-use.

The work on this project includes:

  • Chena Pump Road at Chena Point Road: We will construct a dedicated right-turn lane for south-bound traffic turning onto Chena Point Road from Chena Pump Road.
  • Sheep Creek Road at West Tanana Drive: We widen the road at the intersection with Sheep Creek Extension, and we will install a dedicated left-turn pocket for traffic coming from the university, turning left onto Sheep Creek Extension toward the Parks Highway.
  • South Cushman Street at 23rd Avenue: We will repaint the stop bars a little further back from their current position to create more room for large vehicles turning south on to Cushman Street, allowing for an easier and safer turn.

Our project staff is currently working on elements of the final design. Construction on this project is expected to begin in 2021.

FAST Planning Sidewalk Improvements FFY19


Water pools alongside the face of the curb
on North Pole High School Blvd.

We are working to construct, reconstruct, and improve pedestrian facilities on North Pole High School (NPHS) Boulevard, Snowman Lane, Loftus Road, and at the Carlson Center. The purpose of this project is to address gaps in the connection of pedestrian facilities, deterioration of existing sidewalks and pathways, and to improve compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

At NPHS Blvd., there isn’t enough space to install drainage improvements at the current location. Instead, this project will remove the curb, gutter, and sidewalk that is currently along the south side of the road to allow the ponding water to drain onto the adjacent land. A separate pathway will be constructed on the north side of the road where there is enough space to install effective drainage systems. Existing culvert inlets will be cleaned, and the area around the new pathway will be sloped so that water flows to the existing culverts.

At Snowman Lane, a new sidewalk will be constructed on the west side of the road from 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue.

At Loftus Road, the existing concrete sidewalks are deteriorating and will be replaced with new asphalt sidewalks. Curb ramps will be upgraded to meet current ADA standards.

At the Carlson Center, a pathway will be constructed on the north side of 2nd Avenue that will connect the sidewalk in front of the Carlson Center to the pathway along the Chena River and to a pathway through Growden Park that will also be constructed in the summer of 2021.

Our project staff is currently working on preliminary design. Construction on this project is expected to begin in summer of 2021.

FAST Planning Sign Replacement Stage III

We are working to replace a variety of signs, including regulatory, guide, warning, and other signs, within the City of Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Fairbanks that were not included in previous stages of this project.

The purpose of this project is to enhance safety, reduce confusion, and improve aesthetics, as well as to ensure that the federal requirements on retro-reflectivity are met.

A retroreflector is a device or surface that reflects light back to its source, improving the ability to see the object in dark or low-light situations. The improved visibility is essential for maximizing road safety. Although only about 25% of travel occurs in dark conditions, it still accounts for 50% of crashes, which means that the nighttime crash rate is nearly three times the daytime crash rate. (Sources: Crash Data – NHTSA Fatal Accident Reporting System, VMT – FHWA Highway Statistics) This project will replace older signs with newer ones that use updated technology to improve visibility.

Our project staff is currently working on the preliminary design. Construction on this project is expected to begin in 2021.

What Is FAST Planning?

FAST Planning is an independent non-profit organization based in Fairbanks that invests federal funding into our community’s transportation network. (It was formerly known as FMATS, but became FAST Planning in 2019 when it transitioned to a non-profit organization.)

The FAST Planning Board is made up of representatives from the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks, City of North Pole, the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Air Quality Division, and Northern Region DOT&PF. The Board is supported by a technical committee that includes representatives from the organizations listed above and Fort Wainwright, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska Railroad Corporation, Fairbanks International Airport, Local Freight Industry, Local Tribal Entities, and MACS Transit.

This group works together to make decisions about how to invest federal infrastructure funding in the community, leveraging the unique resources each organization brings to the table. You can find out more about FAST Planning and how you can get involved at their website (fastplanning.us).