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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

NORTHERN REGION
You are here: DOT&PF >  Northern Region > Projects > FAST ADA Improvements: Shared-Use Path Improvements - Parks Highway

FAST ADA Improvements: Shared-Use Path Improvements - Parks Highway
Project numbers: NFHWY01103, NFHWY01027/0002(565)

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is working to repair and upgrade the shared use path that runs along the Parks Highway between Geist Road in Fairbanks and Eva Creek Road near Ester. Most of the current path is separated from the Parks Highway by a drainage ditch, but there are two segments of the path that are on the shoulder of the Parks Highway and separated with painted lines (between Faith Lane and Berton Road and between Gold Hill Road and the Old Nenana Highway). This project will not include work on the section of path between Gold Hill Road and the Old Nenana Highway except to extend the ditch-separated pathway about half a mile toward the Old Nenana Highway.


Project area

Proposed work includes:

  • Repaving the path
  • Widening the path to 10- to 12-feet wide
  • Widening the path's gravel shoulders
  • Extending the ditch-separated pathway toward the Old Nenana Highway by about half a mile from where it currently ends at Gold Hill Road to a few hundred yards beyond Eva Creek Road
  • Where the path is on the shoulder of the highway repainting the existing white diagonal lines where needed
  • Clearing vegetation that is growing onto the path, including roots under the path
  • Improving drainage and adding culverts
  • Reconstructing the path to meet ADA compliance

Why are we making these improvements?

Sections of the existing path are not ADA-compliant, have vegetation growing either above or below the surface, are bumpy due to settlement or root growth, have poor pavement, or have drainage issues. The proposed improvements are intended to improve safety for all pathway users by restoring the path to its original condition while meeting ADA standards.


A photo of the path near Gold Hill Road shows cracks and roots growing under the pavement.

Project schedule

The team is currently working on the preliminary design of this project and plan to put the project out for bid and construction in conjunction with the Parks Highway / Sheep Creek Road Extension Traffic Signal project and the Parks Highway MP 355 Resurfacing project. The earliest this project is expected to start construction is 2027.