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Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

OFFICE of the COMMISSIONER
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2012
No.: 12-2560
Contact: Meadow Bailey, (907) 451-2240 or Meadow.Bailey@Alaska.Gov

Illinois Street Traffic to Remain Northbound

(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) — After careful deliberation the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) concluded today that the direction of traffic on the Illinois Street project in downtown Fairbanks should remain northbound. 

Last week downtown business owners and civic organizations requested that DOT&PF again consider changing the direction of the Illinois Street detour from northbound to southbound. DOT&PF consulted with emergency services, traffic control experts and project staff before reaffirming the northbound direction. 

The northbound traffic pattern results in:

  • Faster response times for police and fire.
  • Less congestion by accommodating the larger volume of traffic, which is northbound.
  • Consistent routing of vehicles, resulting in a safer work zone because drivers are familiar with traffic patterns.

DOT&PF is committed to maintaining access to all businesses and homes located in the construction zone and to providing safe and convenient detour routes for traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. 

The Illinois Street Reconstruction project is currently on schedule. After completion of utility work in July, Illinois Street will be paved and opened to traffic. Work to be completed in 2013 includes the reconstruction of Noyes Slough Bridge, which will include a four-six month detour around the bridge, landscaping, final paving and permanent striping.

The Illinois Street Reconstruction is a two-year, $22 million project, located in downtown Fairbanks. When the project is finished Illinois Street will be wider and straighter, with safe paths for pedestrians and bikes. During construction all utilities will be replaced and buried underground. The prime contractor, HC Contractors, is working with 19 subcontractors and approximately 70 personnel. 

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of DOT&PF is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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