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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

CENTRAL REGION
You Are Here: DOT&PF > Central Region > Projects > Dowling Road / Seward Highway Interchange Reconstruction

State of Alaska Project Number CFHWY00359

Welcome

Welcome to the Dowling Road/Seward Highway Interchange Reconstruction website. 

 

Current Status

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and design consultant, Lounsbury and Associates, is beginning preparation of the Design Study Report, Plans, Specifications and Estimates for the selected roundabout alternative.  This work follows the recommendation developed in the Preliminary Engineering Report produced in 2018.  The DSR will provide analysis of all elements of design and be coordinated with local entities, such as the Anchorage School District and Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions.  In addition, the team will review and ensure compliance with existing plans, such as the Anchorage Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans.  The results of their efforts will be presented at local forums and an early-summer public meeting.  

As a reminder, the proposed work will include:

  • Reconstructing the existing Seward Highway bridge to facilitate the full width of the adjacent highway and center median.
  • Reconstructing the existing Dowling Road roundabouts and frontage roads
  • Minor horizontal and vertical realignments
  • Pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements
  • Upgrading curb ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
  • Replacing or improving signage, striping, and lighting
  • Drainage improvements
  • Vegetation clearing
  • Utility relocations

Construction for the proposed project is anticipated to begin in summer 2020.

Want to talk about the project?

Contact:
Anne Brooks
Public Involvement Coordinator
Call: (907) 272-1877
Email: comments.brooksalaska@gmail.com

Schedule

Preliminary engineering, environmental, and design efforts will proceed on the schedule outlined below.

Schedule

  • January 2018 to July 2019: Dowling Road Interchange Public Involvement
  • February 8, 2018: Anchorage Transportation Fair
  • June 27, 2018: Public Meeting/Release of Draft Preliminary Engineering Report
  • February 2019: Anchorage Transportation Fair
  • July 2019: Public Meeting/Plans, Specifications, & Estimate
  • January 2018 to November 2019: Environmental Activities & Permitting
  • January 2018 to August 2018: Preliminary Engineering Report, including Traffic & Safety Analysis
  • August 2018 to December 2018: Design Study Report
  • August 2018 to November 2019: Plans, Specifications, & Estimates
  • February 6, 2019: Anchorage Transportation Fair
  • 2020 to 2021: Construction

Project Description

This project will reconstruct the Dowling Road/Seward Highway interchange.  The goal is to improve safety, serve both motorized and non-motorized travelers, be cost-effective, and be easy to maintain.  The reconstructed interchange will accommodate projected traffic through 2040.

Location Map
This photo shows the existing Dowling Road and the transmission line (shown in red) adjacent to it. The yellow lines show existing DOT&PF right-of-way.

Project History

Constructed in 2003, the existing roundabout interchange replaced two traffic signals with Alaska’s first multilane roundabouts and converted Dowling Road from a substandard two-lane road to five lanes. The roundabouts were designed to meet projected 2020 traffic volumes and the current traffic volumes at some of the approaches now exceed those projections, resulting in longer wait times. There were also right-of-way, utility, and other constraints that were limiting factors during the original design. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has since implemented safety fixes to solve some problems with the existing interchange and acquired additional right-of-way.

Documents

The below files are in Acrobat pdf format.pdf

Project Public Involvement Chronology and Comment/Response Summary - 295 KB

Notice of Intent to Begin Engineering and Environmental Studies - 63 KB

Anchorage Transportation Fair, February 6, 2019

Draft Prelimiary Engineering Report Open House, June 27, 2018

2018 Final Preliminary Engineering Report (main file) - 3.7 MB

Kick Off Survey Summary, March 2018 - 850 KB

Anchorage Transportation Fair, February 8, 2018

2018 Dowling Road/Seward Highway Reconstruction Public Involvement Plan- 1.6 MB

Area Planning Documents

2015 Interim 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan

2010 Anchorage Bicycle Plan

2007 New Seward Highway Rabbit Creek Road to 36th Avenue Environmental Document

2007 Anchorage Pedestrian Plan

2007 Anchorage Bowl 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan with 2027 Revisions

1997 Areawide Trails Plan

Links to Area Projects

Dowling Road: Old Seward to Lake Otis Parkway Pavement Preservation

Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2040 Update

Old Seward Highway: Dimond Boulevard to Dowling Road Pavement Preservation

Seward Highway: Dimond Boulevard to Dowling Road Reconstruction, Phase 1

Seward Highway: Dowling to Tudor, AWWU Access Roads

Seward Highway: O’Malley Road to Dimond Boulevard

For More Information

For questions or comments email or call Anne Brooks, Public Involvement Lead at comments.brooksalaska@gmail.com
or 907-272-1877.

Project Team

Owner
DOT&PF
Kevin Jackson, P.E.
Project Manager
907-269-0641
kevin.jackson@alaska.gov		 Prime Consultant
Lounsbury & Associates, Inc.
Joe Taylor, P.E.,
Project Manager
907-272-5451
j.taylor@lounsburyinc.com		 Public Involvement
Brooks & Associates
Anne Brooks, P.E.
Public Participation Coordinator
907-272-1877
comments.brooksalaska@gmail.com