FAST Planning targets Mini Street Bridge reconstruction for 2030-2035 timeframe

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly meeting on April 24, 2025, focused on several key infrastructure issues, particularly the status of the Mini Street Bridge project and drainage concerns related to local bridges.

During the meeting, officials clarified that the Mini Street Bridge reconstruction is not currently underway. However, there is an ongoing Mini Street project aimed at resurfacing the road and improving drainage. The bridge reconstruction is included in the long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) by FAST Planning, with a projected timeline of 5 to 10 years from its adoption in 2023. This places the potential start of the bridge project between 2028 and 2033, contingent on continued support and advocacy from the community.

Assembly members were encouraged to engage with FAST Planning representatives, such as Jackson Fox and Sarah Lucy from the Department of Transportation, to bolster support for the bridge project. The Mini Street Bridge is currently ranked 39th in priority for state funding, and officials noted that funding for bridge projects has been more successful when sourced from tribal funding, particularly for projects outside the main transportation system.

Additionally, the assembly addressed concerns regarding drainage systems in local bridges. Officials confirmed that scuppers and drains are designed into bridges to prevent water accumulation on driving surfaces. However, due to the region's cold climate, drainage systems often lead directly into water bodies, as alternative drainage solutions are not feasible. The assembly discussed potential mitigation strategies, such as wider shoulders on bridges to facilitate better water drainage away from the driving surface.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the importance of community involvement in infrastructure planning and the challenges faced in maintaining effective drainage systems in the region's bridges.