Welcome to the website for the Sterling Highway Milepost (MP) 45–60 Project. This project will upgrade the highway between the Sunrise Inn and the eastern entrance to Skilak Lake Road near Cooper Landing.
Public comments have been collected and integrated, and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is now designing and building the Juneau Creek Alternative. Construction began in 2020, and the new highway is anticipated to be open to traffic by the end of 2027.
The project is being designed and constructed in phased segments as depicted in the figure below.
Phase 1A is on the west end of the project (MP 56–58), as shown in the figure above. This phase includes significant soil stabilization to prevent slopes from entering designated wilderness on the north side of the corridor. Other improvements include retaining walls, drainage, wildlife undercrossings, erosion protection, guardrail, pavement, and signage and striping.
Designer: HDR
Contractor: Scarsella Bros
Award Amount: $21,130,000
Phase 1B is on the east end of the project, at approximately MP 45–46.5, and includes the Quartz Creek intersection as well as the intersection of the existing and proposed Sterling Highway (approximately MP 47). Phase 1B consists of a pedestrian undercrossing (Coyote Notch), retaining walls, drainage, guardrail, pavement, and signage and striping.
Designer: R&M
Contractor: QAP-Traylor Joint Venture
Award Amount: TBD
DOT&PF is designing the Juneau Creek Bridge in-house as a steel girder bridge in close collaboration with the new Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC). Design of the bridge is anticipated to be completed in summer 2023. Construction of the bridge abutments is anticipated to begin in 2024, with construction of the bridge continuing through 2026. Currently, as designed, the Juneau Creek Bridge will be the:
Designer: DOT&PF
Contractor: QAP-Traylor Joint Venture
Award Amount: TBD
This project consisted of upgrading two existing roads on either side of Juneau Creek Canyon: West Juneau Road on the west and Slaughter Ridge Road on the east. These roads will provide valuable access to Phases 2–6 throughout the duration of the project. This project also establishes a project office/staging area (Tract C) along the existing Sterling Highway near the Quartz Creek Road intersection.
Designer: DOWL
Contractor: QAP-Traylor Joint Venture
Award Amount: $4,500,000
Phases 3 and 4 consist of the middle section (off the existing alignment) of the project. These phases will establish staging and disposal sites, roadway embankment, and drainage; and will construct wildlife undercrossings.
Designer: DOWL
Contractor: QAP-Traylor Joint Venture
Award Amount: $105,000,000
Phase 5 includes the western intersection of the new Sterling Highway and the existing Sterling Highway (MP 55–56). This was previously part of Phase 4. DOT&PF selected a tight diamond interchange configuration for the design of the western intersection north of the existing highway. It will have on- and off-ramps to allow travelers to access the existing highway near Sportsman's Landing. In spring 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service traded designated wilderness with Cook Inlet Region, Inc., and then sold the necessary right-of-way for the Juneau Creek Alternative to DOT&PF. Now that the land purchase is complete, cultural resources survey, clearing, and geotechnical exploration will begin. Construction of Phase 5 is anticipated to begin in 2025 and end in 2026 (see figure above).
Designer: DOWL
Contractor: QAP-Traylor Joint Venture
Award Amount: TBD
Phase 6, the final project phase, includes construction of all paving, signage, striping, guardrail, rumble strips, and trailheads; revegetation; and landscaping. The new highway is currently anticipated to be open to traffic by the end of 2027.
Designer: DOWL
Contractor: QAP-Traylor JV
Award Amount: TBD