Steese Expressway / Johansen Expressway Interchange Project No. Z607320000/0002337

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in cooperation with the Alaska Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has initiated final design on a project to upgrade the intersection of the Steese Expressway and the Johansen Expressway located in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Project Status

Thanks to all who have participated in our public outreach efforts to date. The Diverging Diamond Interchange with temporary Farmers Loop Connection is the Preferred Build Alternative. The Final Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and November 2020 Open House Comment Summary are available on the Project Documents page.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the Steese Expressway/Johansen Expressway Interchange is to enhance motorized and non-motorized mobility and user safety at the Steese Expressway and Johansen Expressway intersection and within the influence area of the intersection.

Project Need

The Steese and Johansen Expressways are principal arterials in Fairbanks, and the intersection is ranked in the top 10 for entering vehicle volume in Fairbanks. The Steese/Johansen intersection is a critical hub  for commercial traffic heading to the North Slope from Canada, Valdez, and Anchorage. The area surrounding the intersection has seen substantial commercial and residential development since the early 2000s when the Bentley Trust area along the Johansen Expressway began to be developed. Traffic volumes on the Johansen Expressway increased by 27% with the opening of Walmart and Fred Meyer, and intersection volume increased by 45% between 2004 and 2007 when the area was developing rapidly. Following the initial spike in traffic, total intersection volumes have increased at an average rate of 1% per year (2007–2016). Residential development has been driven predominantly by military growth associated with the adjacent U.S. Army Garrison Fort Wainwright.

Engineering analysis and public scoping identified the four primary operational and safety concerns described below:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety: Long crossing lengths and high-speed (55 mph or greater) vehicular traffic through the intersection increase the risk of severe pedestrian and bicycle crashes. Two crashes involving pedestrians crossing Steese Expressway have occurred between 2005 and 2014 , with one resulting in a pedestrian fatality and the other resulting in a major injury.  Residences on the east side and the commercial district on the west side create a high crossing demand.

Pedestrian Delay: Pedestrian delay exceeds desirable delay standards during peak traffic hours (currently it is at Level of Service [LOS] E).

Proximity of Farmers Loop Road: The proximity of the Farmers Loop Road intersection creates additional delay during peak hours.

Southbound Steese Expressway: Steese Expressway traffic exiting at the Johansen Expressway conflicts with entering Farmers Loop Road traffic; conflicts are highest during the AM peak.

Eastbound Johansen Expressway: Johansen Expressway traffic desiring to turn at Farmers Loop Road utilizes the left-most turn lane, unbalancing the lanes and reducing the signal capacity. Queues can back traffic up to the Old Steese Highway intersection.

Northbound Steese Expressway: Steese Expressway traffic desiring to turn at Farmers Loop Road utilize the left-most through-lane, blocking the westbound left-turn pocket during the PM peak and reducing signal capacity.

Vehicle Delay: Eastbound left-turn vehicles currently experience an average delay of over 1 minute per vehicle in the PM peak (LOS E). The total intersection LOS will be E in the peak hour by 2024, which is not acceptable by current design standards. This delay disproportionately impacts freight and transit vehicles and may impact air quality due to excessive idling.

We are continuing to progress design and are working with a Contractor to develop a construction phasing plan. The Design Study Report is available on the Project Documents page.

Project Schedule

The preferred alternative was selected, completing the environmental document. The team  began the right-of-way phase, and we have contacted impacted owners. We are continuing to progress design and are working with a contractor to develop a construction phasing plan. Construction is not anticipated to start before 2026.