The $13.6 million project began a year ago, and includes digging for utility line placement, landscaping and paving, said DOT spokesman Rick Feller. Efforts are managed by Alaska Interstate Construction Inc.

Construction along Fifth Avenue in Anchorage between Gambell Road and McCarrey Street is set to resume May 1 with landscaping and utility work that will continue into the fall. The $13.6 million project to widen the Glenn Highway access started over a year ago. Photo/Rob Stapleton/AJOC

This year, the only major part of this project will be to put down a second layer of pavement. This season should be quicker to navigate and less involved this year versus last summer, Feller said.

"To some degree or other, all of this stretch of pavement will be worked on until the construction season is over next fall," he said.

The project, which runs from Fifth Avenue to the Airport Heights area, is 1.5 miles long. Work last year widened the street from four lanes with a center turn lane to six lanes, adding controlled turn areas.

The project also removed the frontage road for access to Merrill Field, which now has turn-arounds with driveways for business entry.

"While we expect this to be under construction by May 1, we could start earlier, weather allowing," Feller said. "All the right of way is done so there won't be anymore disruption to local businesses for long periods of time, like last year. The lions share of the work was done last year, this should be a much easier season," added Feller.

Rob Stapleton can be reached at robstapleton.@alaskajournal.com.