Parks Highway / Sheep Creek Road Extension Traffic Signal (HSIP)
Project No. NFHWY00898/0A45(032)

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Northern Region is working to improve safety at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Sheep Creek Road Extension. The history of crashes at this intersection allowed the Department to nominate this intersection for safety improvements under the federally funded Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).

Background

In 2008, we modified the intersection to add turn lanes, medians, and the dedicated receiving lane for traffic turning left from Sheep Creek Road Extension onto the Parks Highway towards Fairbanks. In 2012, we changed the pavement markings and added signs to address safety concerns. These improvements have reduced side swipe crashes, but angle crashes continue to occur.

Between 2013 and 2023, 29 crashes occurred at this intersection. There were no fatal injuries, but two crashes involved serious injuries, six crashes involved minor injuries, and 21 crashes involved property damage (no injury). Most of the crashes include vehicles turning from Sheep Creek Road Extension onto the Parks Highway.

• Vehicles turning from Sheep Creek toward Fairbanks collided with vehicles on Parks Highway traveling to Fairbanks primarily during the winter months when road conditions were icy. The superelevation makes it difficult for drivers to turn into the inside lane without accidently crossing over into the outside lane. This is further complicated by the turning vehicles accelerating to find gaps in the traffic heading from Fairbanks to Ester before making the turn into the superelevated lane.
• Vehicles from Sheep Creek Road Extension turning towards Ester collided with vehicles on the Parks Highway traveling from Fairbanks to Ester primarily during daylight hours in the spring, summer, and fall months. Commonly stated causes were vehicles in the right turn lane pocket blocking the sight of a vehicle in the adjacent through lane of Parks Highway, glare from the sun, and confusion to whether a vehicle on the Parks Highway traveling from Fairbanks was in the right turn pocket or the adjacent through lane.

No crashes involving non-motorized traffic (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) were reported at this intersection during the 2013-2023 timeframe. We have received comments that it is challenging for non-motorized traffic using the multi-use path along the Parks Highway to cross Sheep Creek Road Extension, especially during peak hours when there is a lot of turning traffic. The crossing distance is long, and it is difficult for non-motorists to anticipate approaching vehicle movements; likewise, it is difficult for vehicles approaching the intersection to see non-motorists at the intersection.

Eastbound and Westbound crash history posters. Click for PDF version.

Proposed Improvements

As part of the HSIP nomination for improvements at this intersection, the Department analyzed the type of crashes and determined that installing a traffic signal is the most effective safety countermeasure to address the specific types of crashes occurring here. In addition to signalizing the intersection, the project will also:

• Post "SIGNAL AHEAD" signs and install the "PREPARE TO STOP" overhead flashing signs on the Parks Highway, similar to those on the Mitchell and Steese Expressways.
• Modify roadway geometry so that in icy conditions vehicles turning left from Sheep Creek onto the Parks Highway are less likely to inadvertently cross into the adjacent through lane.
• Construct a median between the acceleration lane and the through lane to physically separate the inside lane dedicated to receiving left-turning vehicles from the Sheep Creek Road Extension and the adjacent lane dedicated for vehicles traveling on the Parks Highway toward Fairbanks.
• Improve non-motorized safety at the intersection by signalizing the crossing and providing pavement markings and raised medians or islands to separate vehicles and non-motorized users.

Project area

Additionally, to address the crashes of the right turning traffic from the Sheep Creek Road Extension, we are considering one of the two following alternatives:

• Provide a right-turn auxiliary lane to allow right-turning vehicles from the Sheep Creek Road Extension to reach highway speed before merging with the Parks Highway through traffic.
• Offset the Parks Highway right-turn lane from the through lane to provide visual separation and reduce right turning driver confusion about which lane is occupied.

Click for PDF version.

Alternative A: Right-Turn Auxiliary Lane

Alternative B: Offset Right-Turn Lane

Schedule

The project is programmed for construction in 2026.

We are currently working on traffic analysis and preliminary design in support of the environmental document.

Final design is anticipated to be completed in early 2026.