Richardson Highway MP 359 Railroad Grade Separated Facility Project Number: Z607340000 / 0A24033

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:

• Reconstructing north and southbound lanes
• Constructing an overpass over existing railroad tracks
• Constructing retaining walls
• Improving ditches and drainage
• Adding an undercrossing for the use by troops at Fort Wainwright

Overview of project area.

Rendition of the grade separated railroad crossing.

PROJECT TIMELINE

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.