The Mat-Su Borough Assembly approved about $260,000 to fund the design of the bridge over Bradley Road in Trapper Creek.
At about 30 years old and with poor documentation on its original construction, the bridge was selected for replacement years ago and the project has since stalled twice.
Borough Project Engineer Mike Campfield said in 2023 that the bridge was a high priority. With an original price tag of $900,000 about nine years ago, the project stalled after funding was already allocated. An amended scope of work adding $176,000 to the estimated cost was approved in May 2023. Again the project stalled.
In May 2023, Campfield said the bridge was old, the deck had already failed before, and there were weight restrictions on it. Campfield says they added some girders and deck repairs to help extend the life of the bridge. Because Trapper Creek is a salmon-bearing stream, in-water work will be limited to early summer. Construction is not expected to begin until 2026 at the earliest.
PND Engineers is awarded the new contract for the design and to oversee the construction. The design is expected to be complete by March 2026.
