Parks Highway Alternative

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), in partnership with the City of Wasilla and the MSB, is conducting a study to identify alternative Parks Highway routes that could move through traffic around Wasilla. The study will examine various approaches to improving the flow of regional traffic while providing relief from traffic congestion in the core of Wasilla.

The Parks Highway is congested, with long delays, especially at intersections in Wasilla. Recent traffic modeling predicts future traffic conditions worsening on the Parks Highway and connecting roads in the Wasilla area, causing greater delays. Additional traffic signals at intersections on the Parks have provided easier access to the highway but have contributed significantly to traffic delays. In addition, the expansion of the Parks Highway over time has resulted in dividing downtown Wasilla.

The purpose of this project is to identify solutions that will 1) provide a through traffic alternative to maintain the functionality of the Parks Highway; 2) significantly alleviate congestion through downtown Wasilla, and 3) help create a more functional and livable downtown in Wasilla.

To provide an update on the status of the project, an Open House was held on March 3, 2011 at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Center in Wasilla. To view the slideshow presentation or review any of the materials regarding this project, please click on the link below:

Project Overview Presentation (PDF)

For more information on the project or to sign up for an email newsletter, please go to http://parkshwyalternative.com. You can also contact the following individuals or send an email to contact@parkshwyalternative.com:

DOT&PF Manager:

Allen Kemplen, AICP
P.O. Box 196900
MS-2525
Anchorage, AK 99519-6900
(907) 269-0513

HDR Project Manager:

Tom Brigham, Senior Transportation Planner
HDR Alaska, Inc.
742 S. Alaska Street
Palmer, AK 99645-6356
(907) 745-4129