Richardson Highway MP 266-341 Passing Lanes
    Project Number 0A23021/Z607150000

Project Description

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is working to select, design, and construct passing lanes on the Richardson Highway between Delta Junction and North Pole (mileposts 266 to 341). The project's purpose is to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety.

Passing lanes are an effective tool to improve capacity and safety on two-lane highways. The purpose of passing lanes is to reduce aggressive driving behavior where, in the absence of a passing lane, passing would have to occur in the opposing traffic lane.

Project Scope

The project includes the following work:

• Construct 10 passing lanes within seven general locations along the Richardson Highway, ranging in length from 2 miles to 0.9 miles and spaced approximately six to eight miles apart.
• Within the proposed improvement areas, the project will extend or replace existing culverts and other drainage facilities, dig out and replace deficient embankments, clear vegetation, relocate utilities, and reconstruct driveways and approaches, and signs and striping.

Project Status and Schedule

The project was competitively bid on September 5, 2023. The successful bidder, HC Contractors, was awarded the contract on October 30, 2023. Clearing work began in winter 2023 and full construction will begin in spring 2024. The figure at the top of the page shows the anticipated schedule for the construction of the passing lanes. Construction is anticipated to be completed by fall 2025.

Public Involvement

The project team held a public meeting on May 19, 2022 to present an overview of the project, answer questions, and take comments. You can review the meeting materials here:

• Public Comment/Response Summary
• Public Meeting Summary
• Public Meeting Presentation with Maps
• Public Meeting Recording