Winter project in Alaska: keeping up with a growing population.

• Author: Slaten, Russ
• Position: CONSTRUCTION

As Alaska's population grows, so does the need for infrastructure; as infrastructure ages, the needs of the population changes. Alaska's population has seen major growth over the last four years from 710,231 people in 2010 to 735,601 people in 2014, according to the US Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section. That's an increase of 25,370 people over the last four years. Many regions of the state are still trying to keep up with the population growth and aging infrastructure with new and improved schools, roads, bridges, and facilities to fit the needs of Alaska.

In and Near Anchorage

The $42.5 million ADOT&PF (Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities) Glenn Highway Capacity Improvement project at Eagle River was completed in December. Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. began the three-mile segment of northbound Glenn Highway from the Hiland interchange to Artillery Road interchange in July 2014, with fifty-six workers at peak construction. The improvement project was designed by Hanson Alaska Professional Services, Inc.

The $34 million Blood Bank of Alaska building located at 1215 Airport Heights in Anchorage was completed at the end of 2015 by Neeser Construction. The owners will be moving into the two-story, 56,000 -square-foot building next month. The building was designed and engineered by Livingston Slone, AMC Engineers, BBFM Structural Engineers, and CRW Engineers.

The $24 million Rasmuson Wing/East Wing Expansion at the Anchorage Museum is expected to begin in February. Davis Constructors expects to complete the 25,000-square-foot project by September 2017. The Anchorage Museum and Municipality of Anchorage project is designed by McCool Carlson Green.

The $4 million Federal Express Aircraft Maintenance Facility Refurbishment at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport began in August. The AIDEA-owned (Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority), 747,338-square-foot maintenance hangar with a 4,600-square-foot fire suppression building will see the rebuilding of pump drives for the fire diesel engines. Arcadis, the onsite project manager, expects the project to be complete in July, with ten workers on site at peak construction.

The $1.9 million Children's Lunchbox Kitchen and Bean's Cafe Food Storage Warehouse and Administrative Offices at 1020 East 4th Avenue began construction in November. After extensive environmental remediation, the interior of the newly purchased two-story, 8,590-square-foot building will be renovated with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. KPB Architects designed the renewal and Commercial Kitchen Solutions designed the 1,186-squarefoot kitchen space for the Children's Lunchbox. An estimated 3,109-square-foot food storage area will be added to the first floor, and the second floor will house all Bean's Cafe administrative functions, with a new exterior facade to complete the project. Expected completion is this fall with no general contractor selected at press time.

South Anchorage

The new $1.6 million Stanton Optical building at 8300 Homer Drive near the New Seward Highway overpass at Dimond Boulevard was set to be completed in December. Stanton Optical is a national designer eyewear store based in Palm Springs, Florida. The 4,400-square-foot building is owned by Homer Holding LLC. H. Watt...