by Greg Lincoln
The State of Alaska Department of Transportation has 138 projects under construction in 2024 and the Tundra Ridge Road in Bethel, also known as the Polk Road, is one of them.
Progress has begun on re-opening the road this summer and construction has begun on improvements for better drainage and fish passages as well as improved safety and reduced emergency response travel time.
“The purpose of the project is to improve driving conditions, improve traffic circulation, improve emergency response times, decrease maintenance costs, and decrease transportation costs for residents and business owners,” says the construction project overview.
The Polk Road that is being rehabilitated begins (or ends) at the BIA Road and goes all the way to the Tundra Ridge subdivision – completing the loop around Bethel.
Bethel commuters will soon be able to drive to Tundra Ridge, Uivik Subdivision, and to Bethel Heights via the Tundra Ridge Road instead of driving all the way around on the state highway and Ridgecrest Drive and Ptarmigan Street.
The other Bethel project is the Bethel Main Runway Reconstruction. This project reconstructs Bethel runway 1L/19R and taxiways C and A to accommodate 737-800 aircraft.
Lighting will also be replaced and runway shoulders are to be paved.
“The purpose of the proposed project is to enhance safety and improve infrastructure at Bethel by reconstructing and strengthening the structural section of the main runway and taxiways to accommodate the increased pavement loading from the Boeing 737-800, which are now being operated by Alaska Airlines,” the project states.
Other Alaska DOT projects in the Bethel Census Area includes: Atmautluak Airport Improvements, and airport rehabilitation in Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Kwethluk, Mekoryuk, and Sleetmute.
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