Each fiscal year, FMATS receives roughly $9 million in federal funding intended for use on transportation projects in the Fairbanks area.  Over the past year, FMATS has been busy!  We were able to obligate over $29.5 million, using a combination of Federal, State, and Local funding.  This additional funding came from various sources such as earmarks, the CMAQ program, State funds, and past funding that was carried from previous years.

The largest of these undertakings, in terms of cost and construction, was the new Barnette Street Bridge-the first of many steps in the Illinois Street project.  In addition to the Barnette Street Bridge, FMATS also obligated over $2 million towards right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation along Illinois Street.  After decades of waiting, this project is finally underway.  This coming summer, with the Barnette Bridge complete, efforts will be focused on reconstructing Illinois Street north of the Chena River.  This work is anticipated to begin later in the summer and the entire Illinois Street project is expected to take between 2-3 construction seasons.

FMATS also made significant investments to improve the air quality by studying the level of PM_2.5 in the Fairbanks area, particularly in regards to quantifying mobile sources of PM_2.5.  In addition, other 2010 FMATS construction projects included efforts to replace high-pressure sodium street lights with energy-efficient LED Lights (see article), Cowles Street Upgrades, Wendell Street Upgrades, Nordale Road Pavement Rehabilitation, Phillips Field Road Upgrades, Van Horn Road Rehabilitation, 23rd Avenue Improvements, Leasure Subdivision improvements, Homestead Road Extension, and general safety improvements.  A complete report of FMATS obligations from last year can be viewed here.

Along with the construction projects that were undertaken, FMATS funding allowed for the engineering progress to be made on the following projects:

-Gillam Way Upgrades

-Resurfacing South Cushman

-Wendell Avenue Bridge

-North Pole Pavement Rehabilitation

-College Road Rehabilitation

-North Pole Road/Rail Crossing Reduction

-FMATS Preventative Maintenance Program

-Birch Hill Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

-North Pole Bike Path Rehabilitation and Connections

-Fairbanks Curb Corner and Sidewalk Upgrades

Development of these projects will carry over into this year, along with many other projects you can expect to see around the Fairbanks and North Pole communities in the near future.   You can see our four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) here. 

Here are some of the FMATS projects that you can expect to see construction begin or continue on this summer.

-Illinois Street Reconstruction:  The next step in construction will be the daunting task of reconstructing Illinois Street.  Expected work includes reconstruction of Illinois Street including underground utility relocation as well as demolition of the Senco Building.   

-Curb Corners:  There are many curb corners, driveways, and sidewalks in Fairbanks that will be getting a major facelift this summer to bring them up to ADA standards.  This project will address the Weeks Fields area, the Downtown area, the Aurora Subdivision, the Island Homes Subdivision, and the Fairbanks Town Site.

-Van Horn Road West (Cartwright Road): This project will reconstruct Van Horn Road West from Peger Road towards Fairbanks International Airport, as far as funding allows.

-University Avenue: This is the beginning of the first of four segments in a project that will involve the reconstruction of University Avenue from the Chena River to Thomas Street. This summer you can expect to see the relocation of the entrance of the Chena River State Recreation Site from University Avenue to the north side of Geraghty Street, east of the Marlin Street intersection, and improvements to the boat ramp.

As you can see, pavement rehabilitation was need on Wendell Street.

-Wendell Street ADA: Upgrades on Wendell Street, begun in 2010, will be wrapped up this summer.  These include the addition of ADA accessible ramps, wider sidewalks drainage improvements, and pavement rehabilitation.

-North Pole Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation: This project will rehabilitate the asphalt pavement surface on Cross Way, Snowman Lane, Davis Boulevard, and NPHS Boulevard.  The sidewalks will also be replaced on H & H Road and Finnel Drive as part of this project.  Other roads may be added, as funding allows. 

-South Cushman (Mitchell - Sanduri): This project will resurface South Cushman Street from the Mitchell Expressway to Sanduri as well as widen the shoulder in certain areas, improve drainage, and upgrade existing curb corners to meet ADA standards.

Have you noticed the new street lights around the cities of Fairbanks and North Pole?  Fairbanks is one of the first cities in the nation to begin tackling streetlight inefficiencies by replacing high-pressure sodium lights with cost-saving, energy-efficient LED lights.   This project is not as simple as switching out lamps.  With dozens of vintages of existing street light system extensions in the FMATS area, some dating back to 1954, replacing street lights often presents unique challenges. 

A close-up view of an LED street light. This particular model has been installed on over 1000 street lights throughout Fairbanks and North Pole.

Beginning with a pilot program in 2008, 105 lights were installed around Fairbanks, including areas near City Hall, the Police Department and the Noel Wien Library.  In 2010, 1787 LED lights were installed in the FMATS area.  Since the inception of that project, the majority of these lights have been installed on local and neighborhood streets.

Last year's LED conversion led to energy savings of roughly 50% and monetary savings of $8,400 and $133,000, in North Pole and Fairbanks, respectively.  We are excited about significantly cutting back on energy consumption and anticipate those numbers to grow, as

A new LED street light in the Fairbanks area.

we plan to replace 1000 more high-pressure sodium lights next year, if funding allows.  The new LED's have an estimated lifespan of 130 - 150 thousand hours which, at our current rate of use, promises an operating lifespan six times longer than their high pressure sodium counterparts, vastly decreasing current maintenance requirements.  Currently one of the most expensive aspects of street lights in the Fairbanks area are the labor costs involved in changing out a burnt-out lamp, but these new lights will greatly decrease this cost.  The life span of these LED lights exceed those located anywhere else in the United States, due to the

A high pressure sodium (HPS) street light in the Fairbanks area.

low night temperatures that we experience in the Fairbanks area and the increased efficiency of LED lights in cold weather.

The benefits of these LED lights extend beyond the savings of tax dollars.  Because the design of the new LED lights allows for improved directing and focusing of light, we will enjoy decreased light pollution.  As a result, residents will benefit from improved night-sky viewing.  LED lights have much better light distribution, resulting in less dark spots than their high-pressure sodium counterparts, ultimately promoting safer night driving conditions.  In addition, their white light output allows for better contrast and color recognition compared to the orange spectrum of a high-pressure sodium bulb.  In the long run, these lights will be better for the environment too, because of the elimination of hazardous materials.  LED lights contain no mercury or other materials that would raise issues in hazardous waste disposal.

FMATS and the City of Fairbanks would like to hear your opinion regarding the new LED street lights around Fairbanks and North Pole.  Please share your opinion by contacting us here.