The Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering a project to re-stripe College Road. While not being done for the benefit of cyclists, the changes could result in some cycling benefits.
DOT has an online survey about the project going until September 30. If you use College Road please consider taking the survey.
The new striping would consist of one lane in each direction with a two-way-left-turn lane in the middle. There would also be 4.5-foot shoulders on both outside edges.
The reasoning for the proposed project is to make the road safer, especially because the road has so many businesses and subdivisions that often require motorists to turn left to reach them. To turn left, vehicles have to stop in the inside lane, which is a moving lane of traffic.
From the project page:
--Crash data further supports the need for action. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 45 crashes along the roadway segment and 8 crashes at intersections, including two crashes that resulted in serious injury.--
These are the ways the project could benefit cyclists (and pedestrians):
- Cyclists would have the option of traveling along the raised path (sidewalk) as most do now OR traveling on the road shoulder. This would particularly benefit cyclists who want to travel faster as they would not have to navigate the many street intersections, which slows travel and can be dangerous at high cycling speeds.
- In winter, during snow clearing operations, the shoulder would be used to temporarily store snow. While this would make the shoulder unusable for cyclists, it would help keep plowed snow off the raised path.
Read more about the project HERE.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner has an editorial in favor of the project. Read it HERE.
Take the survey HERE.
One of the questions asks "How do you typically travel on College Road?" and includes "Bicycling" and "Walking" in addition to "By Vehicle."