Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities—Parks Highway/Railroad Grade Separations/Highway Safety Improvement Program

This $23.8 million project targeted two at-grade railroad crossings on Parks Highway about 9 miles apart near Talkeetna—a picturesque town that serves as a jumping-off point for mountaineers headed for Denali or other Alaska Range summits (and very possible with tourists). The project eliminated risk of collision at the crossings and further increased safety by cutting queues of traffic behind buses and fuel trucks that used to stop, as required, before crossing the tracks at grade. The improvements made now allow for better flow of commercial trucks, tour buses and commuters, benefitting local economic development, and more safely and efficiently connecting all drivers and rail passengers which improves quality of life.