Skagway is in the conceptual phase of its redesign of Main Street. A recent virtual meeting presented three concepts and encouraged residents to discuss concerns. So far, the participating public has expressed mostly support, even though the project will utilize municipal right-of-way land that many homeowners currently use as part of their property.

 

Main Street is Skagway’s biggest residential road. The 1.3 mile street leads to the school, the port and to the drive out of town.

Mark Pusich is the principal engineer for RESPEC, the company hired to complete a conditional survey and preliminary design of the road.

“We found that 76% of the asphalt pavement was in poor to very poor condition that had a limited life,” Pusich said. “The street and infrastructure was constructed in 1983, so 41 years ago. A lot of the facilities have seen their better days.”

Besides the asphalt, the storm drains are corroded, which Pusich says can lead to collapse of the pipe, and the road. 

Many sidewalks are in bad condition and the infrastructure is not in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act.

The goal is to make Main Street pedestrian friendly with bike lanes, better signage and rounded curbs near intersections to prevent vehicles from parking too close to corners and blocking line of sight.

The project will come at a cost, an estimated $38 million. The municipality will start looking for grants and funding in 2025.

The other cost of the rehabilitation project is the perceived loss of land from homeowners who have enjoyed the unused municipality land beyond their property line.

RESPEC’s Kevin Puustinen addressed the issue. 

“Obviously, when you’re widening the roadway, we’re going to have some impacts and challenges as a result,” he said. “One of the challenges, or one of the impacts, is going to be areas where there are fences constructed in the right of way.”

Puustinen also showed examples of boardwalks and decks that would need to be removed.

“And then there are other areas where there’s landscaping and trees that are in the right of way,” he said.

Resident Jeanne Tyson is particularly concerned about coniferous trees that might be removed. She hopes the project can find a way to preserve them.

“Our evergreens take a lifetime to grow,” she said. “I will not live to see a spruce tree in its maturity.”

Donna Larsen represents Friends of the Klondike Corridor, a non-profit that owns the Rappuzi House. She was worried about the road becoming too big and increased speed.  

“I don’t understand the widening of it,” Larsen said. “I understand the rest of it, the asphalt, utilities, the ramps – I get it. But I don’t understand why we need to widen it.”

Pusich explained that a 12-foot driving lane is standard. What is changing is parking, sidewalk use and the addition of at least one bike lane.

“If we were to compare, look at that Concept Three asphalt compared to what’s there now, we might be not too far off,” Pusich said.  “So, I appreciate your comments. I think this is what we’re after. We’re looking for feedback.” 

The municipality favors Concept Three. It has the least amount of asphalt of the plans, meaning less plowing in the winter. There are two parking lanes and a raised two-way bike lane. The concept contains one sidewalk.

Resident Wendy Anderson is in support of the Main Street upgrade, which is projected to be completed around 2028.

“​​I have lived on Main Street or adjacent to Main Street for about three decades now, and boy, the sidewalks are horrible,” she said. “The biking paths are horrible. I’ve had my mother who had dementia living with me and finding ways to go safely, walking with her in our areas was such a challenge. So, I am very excited about having wider streets for safety.” 

Anderson said she understands the pain people feel when vegetation is removed.

“I have an eight-foot stretch in front of my house that is city property that doesn’t have a sidewalk,” she said. “And there were beautiful alders and all kinds of stuff growing. And the city came by and chopped them down and it broke my heart. And then I had to just come to terms with the fact that that’s not my space.” 

Exhibits, including a 15-foot scroll plot for each concept, are on display at AB Hall through Dec. 12. Hours are weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m.

Information for the project can also be found on the municipality website.