Lines of tail lights, street cones and workers in neon orange vests - these are some of the sights and sounds of construction season happening around Anchorage.
One of the most visible projects unfolding is along Old Seward Highway, where the Municipality has been working since June and will be until September, according to the project manager.
An array of improvements are being made from 34th Avenue to Tudor Road: re-paving and re-striping, updated timing of traffic signals to better match the flow of traffic, wider sidewalks that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The end result is welcomed by owners of nearby businesses, but the process causes a headache. What causes longer commutes is also costing businesses located in the Northstar Centre, where construction is currently focused.
Modern Dweller's Chocolate Lounge had to close its doors for a few days earlier this month.
"Weekends are always our busiest time," says Meg Goodman, the manager at Modern Dweller's Chocolate. "We did end up having to shut down for, I want to say, three or four days, because of (construction), which was a big hit for us."
John Smith, the project manager, says the Municipality works with businesses to make sure disruptions are kept to a minimum. There are public meetings and newsletters sent to anyone affected by construction, but some problems are unavoidable.
"36th is a very difficult intersection because of all the traffic that's coming through," says Smith. "It's probably one of the most congested intersections in town. So we're doing a little bit, piece by piece, so we can maintain traffic and keep the workers safe, keep the pedestrians moving."
Smith said projects along Old Seward will likely continue until September 1.
Web extra: Anchorage Summer Road Construction Map:
View 2013 Public Works Construction Projects in the Municipality of Anchorage in a larger map
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Improving Traffic: Construction Season Hits Old Seward Hwy and 36th Ave
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