A major overhaul of College Road is planned for next summer. The long in the works project is based on recommendations of a corridor study approved by the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System policy committee.
FMATS coordinator Donna Gardino outlines fundamental changes in the new road design. "Moving from a four lane to a three lane, so basically having one lane in each direction and a center turn lane, which will provide us with 5-foot shoulders," she said.
Gardino says the design is meant to facilitate slower localized traffic on College Road, and points to national data that shows it will result in greater safety.
"Realize a 29 percent reduction in vehicle crashes for those segments. In addition, we'll also be able to provide a place on the roadway that will be safer for your faster speed bicycle to ride on the shoulder, which will reduce the conflicts on the sidewalk with bicycles and pedestrians," she said.
The College Road project plan was recently extended 2,000 feet east to bring it to where a separate project, also scheduled for next summer, will re-align an offset intersection. The combine projects are estimated to cost between $10 and $15 million. An open house on College Road Rehabilitation project is scheduled for tonight at the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds.
