Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

CENTRAL REGION

DOT&PF > Central Region > Projects > Glenn Highway: Artic Avenue to Palmer-Fishhook

Project Description

This project is focused on the section of the Glenn Highway between Arctic Avenue and Palmer-Fishhook Road where the highway leaves downtown Palmer and ascends the Matanuska River bluffs.

From farmland, personal driveways, and neighborhood entrances that line the corridor, people are entering a section of interstate highway that sees 10,000 vehicles per day traveling at speeds in excess of 45–55 mph. With these traffic patterns at the forefront and the Glenn Highway being part of the National Highway System, the project is focused on improving safety. Roadway capacity evaluation is also planned to meet community needs now and into the future.

The project’s main goals are to:

Improve Glenn Highway safety while planning for current and future travel needs
Enhance pedestrian access and accommodations
Offer clear, consistent, and mindful engagement and communication with stakeholders

The 179-mile-long Glenn Highway plays a critical role in facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services between Southcentral Alaska and Interior Alaska. This route serves as the only access road for numerous villages, small towns, and residences, supporting both economic activity and a connection for essential services.

A 135-mile segment of the Glenn Highway (Anchorage to Eureka Summit) has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as a National Scenic Byway. For 3.75 of those miles, the highway travels through the City of Palmer and acts as both an urban arterial and a local connector for residents and businesses. This mix of traffic contributes to safety issues and congestion and has resulted in the creation of this project.

Arctic to Palmer-Fishhook northbound project area map shows the project corridor road located between milepost 50 and 42 on the Glenn Highway. An inset map showing the project location is also present.

Note: This map is a general description of the project area and is intended to serve as an approximation of the location.

Timeline

This project is in the beginning stages. The project team is still gathering data through means that include working with stakeholders to understand safety and other concerns. Over the course of the next year, the team expects to complete field studies, environmental documents, and preliminary engineering before moving into what is expected to be about a 3-year timeline for detailed design that may include right-of-way acquisitions and utility relocation. Construction is targeted to begin in 2030 and last about 2 years.

Below is an estimated schedule that is subject to change.

Project kick-off in 2024. Public involvement spans the lifecycle of the project through 2032. Field studies, preliminary engineering and environmental documents from 2024-25. Detailed design spans from 2026 to 2030. ROW from 2027 to 2030. Utilities relocation design from 2028 to 2030. Construction from 2030 to 2032.

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