Traffic along the Parks Highway continues to be affected by recent firefighting efforts and road construction between Nenana and Fairbanks. From 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., pilot cars manage traffic between mileposts (MP) 335.5 and 318.5 with delays of up to one hour.
At night, construction work shifts pilot cars are used to MP 319-322, with 20-30 minutes of wait time. This recent construction update focuses on improving a deteriorated stretch built initially in the 1950s and last upgraded in 1985.
The road´s steep grades, sharp curves, and limited sightlines have caused numerous crashes, including two fatalities in the past decade. The Alaska Department of Transportation plans to straighten curves, flatten hills, and add modern features like broader shoulders, drainage improvements, and new passing lanes.
Officials expect construction to start as early as 2025 and last several years. Public input and traffic modeling helped shape the design. Granite Construction is leading preconstruction work under a CMGC contract, which allows early risk planning.
