Today is a New Day

Illinois Street provides primary access to downtown Fairbanks from the north. Other important travel routes intersect Illinois and Barnette Streets, which add to the travel demands and safety concerns along this corridor. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are inadequate or entirely absent, and the project supports efforts to address riverfront enhancements in the area where the corridor crosses the Chena River. We look forward to creating a road that celebrates Fairbanks' great traditions-and provides a grand entrance into the Golden Heart City.

In 1901, Felix Pedro sat down for a rest on top of a hill in the Tanana Valley. He and his partner were beginning a 165-mile walk to Circle City to get fresh supplies. Pedro saw smoke rising in the distance and to his surprise, it was from the steamboat the Lavelle Young. It took Felix and his partner, Tom Gilmore, a full day to reach the steamer on foot. However, it was a fortuitous discovery, the steamboat was tied up at the place we now know as Fairbanks to let E.T. Barnette unload his supplies for his trading post.

The trail Pedro and Gilmore used is now known as Illinois Street. The road and surrounding land is now part of Fairbanks' newest historical district.

The DOT&PF is pleased to be working on plans to continue the tradition of this historic trail as an important route in the Fairbanks community.

Problem Areas

Problem Areas Check List

• Correct confusing lane configurations that do not meet driver expectations.
• Improve pedestrian or bicycle facilities along Illinois Street.
• Replace the pavement which is in poor condition.
• Upgrade drainage along the length of Illinois Street.
• Improve sight distance problems at some intersections and approaches.
• Increase roadway illumination.

Intersections

Traffic delays are longer than acceptable at the following intersections:

• Doyon Place and Illinois Street
• Church Street and Illinois Street
• Charles Street and Illinois Street
• College Road and Illinois Street
• Second Avenue and Barnette Street
• Third Avenue and Barnette Street
• Fourth Avenue and Barnette Street

Safety

Several areas that have a high accident rate or are inadequate from a safety aspect include:

• A three times higher than expected accident rate at First Avenue and Cushman Street.
• Poor sight distance at the Church Street approach due to road curvature.
• A number of pedestrian accidents have occurred at First Avenue and Cushman Street.

Goals and Objectives

The goals of this project are to:

• Provide for long-term growth.
• Improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
• Support downtown redevelopment.
• Support Chena Riverfront developments.
• Create an inviting pedestrian environment.

The objectives of this project are to:

• Correct confusing lane configurations that do not meet driver expectations.
• Reduce traffic delays at intersections.
• Improve pedestrian or bicycle facilities along Illinois Street.
• Replace the pavement that is in poor condition.
• Upgrade drainage along the length of Illinois Street.
• Improve sight distance problems at some intersections and approaches.
• Increase roadway illumination.

Project Process

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is now preparing for the construction phase of the Illinois Street Reconstruction project. Bids were opened on December 20, 2011. HC Contractors, Inc. of North Pole, is the apparent low bidder with an unchecked bid of $21,965,862 million. The ADOT&PF engineers estimate for the project was $22,687,027 million. A Letter of Intent to Award will be issued to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder unless all bids are rejected. The project is scheduled for construction in 2012 through 2013.