An illustrated map showing the location of the existing at-grade crossing.
We are working to reconstruct approximately one mile of the Richardson Highway near MP 359 that will include building an overpass over the railroad tracks.
The purpose of this project is to improve traffic delays, as well as increase safety and maneuverability by removing the existing at-grade railroad crossing. When active, the existing at-grade railroad crossing causes traffic delays. When not active, it still requires some vehicles to stop at the crossing utilizing the pullout lanes. These vehicles must accelerate and merge with traffic after stopping. Due to the northbound left lane’s exit proximity to the railroad crossing, some of the same vehicles stopping at the railroad crossing have difficulty maneuvering through three lane changes in less than a half mile to make the existing left-hand exit.
Work on this project includes:
Rendition of the grade separated railroad crossing.
The project will be constructed in two phases. Our project staff are currently working on Phase 2.
Phase 1, took place in the summer of 2023. Work included shifting all traffic to the southbound (North Pole-bound) lanes and closing the northbound (Fairbanks-bound) lanes to build up the overpass and construct the northbound bridge over the railroad.
Phase 2 will take place in the summer of 2024 and will include constructing a crossover for shifting traffic onto the northbound lanes. To facilitate this shift, we must close the North Pole-bound on-ramp to the Richardson Highway from the Old Richardson Highway. This closure started on April 21, 2024 and is anticipated to last until October. Drivers can detour around this closed on-ramp by entering the Mitchell Expressway at Lathrop Street or by entering the Richardson Highway at the GARS intersection. After the lanes are shifted, we will work on building up the southbound lanes and bridge. Construction is estimated to be complete in fall of 2024.
This project is being constructed in cooperation with the Alaska Division of the Federal Highway Administration, Alaska DOT&PF, HC Contractors, Alaska Railroad, Jacobs Engineering and the US Army.
Construction on this project began in April 2023 and is expected to conclude by October 2024.
Use DOT&PF’s Alaska Project Exchange tools to learn more about all of DOT&PF’s active construction projects statewide!
Want to know how construction will impact road traffic? Visit 511.alaska.gov
Want to dig into the details about projects across the state? Visit dot.alaska.gov/construction
For more information, contact:
Kyung Chi, P.E.
DOT&PF Construction Manager
2301 Peger Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709-5316
(907) 374-3709
kyungyun.chi@alaska.gov
For individuals requiring TTY communications, please contact Alaska Relay at 7-1-1 or 1-800-770-8973.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.