Chena Small Tracts Road intersection closes for roundabout construction

Chena Small Tracts Road is closed at its intersection with Chena Pump Road and Old Chena Ridge Road as crews install a pedestrian detour, the first visible step in construction of a new roundabout at that junction. Travelers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes in the area.

The closure is a full intersection closure, logged in the Alaska 511 system as event 36027 and last updated July 11, 2026. No lane-specific detour routing had been published in the Alaska 511 system as of Saturday. DOT&PF said roadway and pedestrian improvements are anticipated to be complete by mid-September, with a project completion deadline of Oct. 30, 2026.

The department describes the project's purpose plainly: "The purpose of this project is to improve safety and reduce wait times for traffic turning from side roads." The engineer's estimate runs between $5 million and $10 million. The single-lane design will accommodate trucks, school buses, and vehicles with trailers. Pedestrian crossings are planned on three of the four legs, though some public commenters questioned whether those facilities would be adequate.

The roundabout has been years in the making. DOT&PF held a public meeting on the project Nov. 7, 2023, at Wood River Elementary School in Fairbanks. A 2022 survey drew nearly 400 responses: 58% favorable, 33% unfavorable, and 9% neutral. Most construction was expected to fall in the 2026 season. The department said the roundabout would fit within existing right-of-way, so no private property impacts are anticipated.

Residents who walk or bike the area should check 511.alaska.gov for current conditions before traveling through the work zone.