FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, July 18, 2011, - Construction on Fort Wainwright is on pace this summer and is evident in the repairs to existing trails, construction of recreational trails at Birch Hill as well as a state of the art running track and football field at Engineer Park.
Dennis Holtry, Directorate of Public Works, chief contract manager has been involved with the bike trail that ended abruptly at a fenced, private housing area, making it necessary for pedestrians and cyclists to either take to the drainage ditch or the shoulder of the road alongside River Road proceeding north to the Siku Basin subdivision on Trainor Gate Road.
That’s no longer the case.
A new asphalt trail now travels alongside the fence to the Siku housing area entrance which ties into the bike trail that opens near Ladd Elementary and Tanana Middle schools.
The other trail project in conjunction with the paved bike trail is the repair, extension and upgrade of the multi-use trail along the north side of River Road. It begins at the southern terminus of the bike trail, at the southeast corner of the Birchwood housing fence. It crosses River Road to the east and follows a northerly route crossing River Road at Canol Road then easterly along the north side of River Road as far as the dump area. “Had funds been available,” Holtry said, “we would have preferred to continue the repair as far as the (Birch) ski hill access.”
The River Road trail was rebuilt with a gravel base topped with recycled asphalt. The trail - intended for mountain bikes - has reportedly seen some abuse. Part of the new trail cuts through the outdoor recreational vehicle area. Motorized vehicle operators are encouraged to stay off the trails to minimize the damage heavier and faster vehicles might cause. “The goal would be to continue this repair as funds become available,” said Holtry.
Another trail project is the installation of 2.4 miles of downhill mountain bike trails and approximately five miles of cross-country trails at Birch Hill.
“The downhill trails are designed for the aggressive rider and incorporates several jumps and banked turns,” said Nathan Damario, DPW, project manager. The cross-country trails are more family friendly with varying trail difficulties. He said, “The cross-country trails adhere to the International Mountain Biking Association modern sustainability requirements for alignment, grade, integrated water control and durable tread.” The trails can also be used during the winter as cross-country skiing trails.
Don’t tread on me.
Mary Jo “MJ” Lohrenz, director, Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation said, “To allow the trails to season correctly we are asking that everyone stay off them this summer.” Everyone should stay off the new trails until they’re hardened and opened for use.
The recreational trail system, including downhill and cross country trails, is intended for non-motorized vehicles only.”
The new running track and football field being built at Engineer Park expands upon recreation and sports options. The running track replaces an old dirt track with an all-weather rubberized running track. “When finished,” Damario said, “the track will be a six lane, 400-meter track. The track will be fully striped and have a fence surrounding it.”
Track specifications called for major excavation, layers of geo-textile fabric, backfilled with 80-inches of non-frost susceptible fill covered by 8-inches of compacted, coarse gravel then two inches of asphalt and topped with a synthetic rubberized surface material. It is an all-weather surface and, “can be used in the winter, if it is maintained and kept clear,” Damario said. The track will surround a football field, has a 0.8 percent slope for drainage and each of the running lanes are 42-inches wide.
The Engineer Park track and field is expected to be complete by September.
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