Road Concerns Around New Development in Talkeetna

Existing roads around the new Baldy Lake Airpark development outside Talkeetna are part of the Talkeetna Road Service Area, or RSA. The RSA’s are a function of the Mat-Su Borough and the RSA Boards provide an opportunity for residents to voice concerns about road issues. 

The Talkeetna RSA Board is concerned about access to the new neighborhood and damage to existing roads that the increased traffic will bring. Talkeetna RSA Board Chair John Strasenburgh says the construction phase for Baldy Lake Airpark will mean increased traffic with heavy equipment. Concerns are that the RSA would be left to foot the bill for the additional maintenance following deterioration of those local roads, specifically Birch Creek Boulevard.

It is unclear if vehicles will enter the Airpark using Gries Strasse Street, a side road from Birch Creek Boulevard, or another entrance. But Gries Strasse is substandard and would need to be brought up to the Borough’s residential street standards before it could be used as an entrance. Strasenburgh says that would be on the developer to handle.

The Talkeetna RSA Board voted at its meeting last month to write a letter to the Borough noting their concerns about these issues.  

The developer has submitted a multi-family development permit application to the Borough Planning Department. Roads and access for residents and emergency vehicles are major factors in granting those permits. According to Borough Current Planner Peggy Horton, that permit has not been issued. She says the Borough has not yet received engineering documentation on three bridges, one at the entrance of the development and two within the Airpark.