New Bike Path Parking Lot Opens near Anchorage Regional Landfill

Mayor's Corner

7/26/2018

ANCHORAGE -- Solid Waste Services has relocated a parking area outside the Anchorage Regional Landfill gates due to increased safety concerns.

In July, Solid Waste Services teamed with the Alaska Department of Transportation to build a new parking lot located approximately .25 miles from the previous parking area off of East Eagle River Loop Road.

The original area was built to provide service access to a natural gas line. The public began using it as a parking area shortly after the bike path was completed. It has become an unofficial “park and ride” for many Eagle River and Glenn Highway bike path users and Anchorage commuters.

However, the entrance to the area is located right outside of the main landfill gate. SWS transfer trucks and other large garbage trucks exit through this gate hundreds of times a day. There have been numerous near collisions with pedestrians and cars going in and out of the parking area. As a result, Solid Waste Services has identified it as a serious safety concern.

The new lot will ease safety concerns, allow convenient access to bike paths and provide parking for approximately 30 cars -- more than double the capacity of the current parking area.

Solid Waste Services is covering costs associated with the new parking area and providing labor and equipment for the project. Costs for fencing, signs and a new gate will total about $18,000.

The new parking lot is now open. The old parking area will permanently close July 30.

For more information, contact Suzanna Caldwell, SWS public information officer, at (907) 343-6275.

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Parking Lot Map