AMATS panel recommends splitting Fifth and Sixth Avenue project

The Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions Technical Advisory Committee recommended on Aug. 6 splitting the Fifth and Sixth avenues project into two segments totaling $293 million.

The downtown segment, running from L Street to Gambell Street, is estimated at $262.5 million, an amount subject to further refinement. The second segment, from Gambell Street to Airport Heights, is estimated at $30.5 million.

The recommendation corrects the project description in the 2052 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which had read "5th/6th from L," to instead read "Reeve to L to Airport Heights." It adds lane reductions, active transportation improvements and utility replacement. Public Works Director Kent Kohlhase, the Policy Committee's vice chair, called it a high priority project. No public comments were offered.

Construction downtown is scheduled to begin in 2030, with completion set for fall 2032. The project is currently expected to be funded by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and historical funding.

The recommendation was an action item on the Aug. 20 agenda of the Policy Committee, which decides. No minutes are posted. It meets again Sept. 17.