Rezanof Repairs Scheduled

Jay Barrett/KMXT

Though it’s scheduled for repaving sometime this summer, Rezanof Drive East continues to deteriorate with the spring break up. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of potholes cover much of both lanes, especially where the street turns north starting at Sharatin Road, and extending to the vicinity of the Pillar Creek Hatchery.

Randy Vanderwood is the chief of Maintenance and Operations for the Department of Transportation’s Central Region. He says the DOT is aware of the problems:

— (Rezanof East 1 28 sec “I know there are some discussions … get tore up fairly soon.”)

Vanderwood says he has a lot of experience with Rezanof Drive East:

— (Rezanof East 2 19 sec “I was actually on that project … to get that taken care of.”)

Given the severity of some of the potholes and their propensity to appear overnight, it’s often impossible to avoid them. But contrary to urban legend, Vanderwood says the state will not pay for any damage your vehicle may sustain:

— (Rezanof East 3 27 sec “Our risk management section … claims of that nature.”)

The work scheduled this summer on Rezanof Drive East is a $4-million project that the Alaska Legislature actually funded two years ago. Work will begin at the Y downtown.