Design for the Intersection at Tanana Loop and East Tanana Drive, and for Adjacent Areas

The "new" but never fully utilized road from the physical plant to the junction at Tanana Loop and East Tanana Drive was originally constructed in preparation for opening the entrance at the intersection of College Road and University Avenue. Some 10 years later the new entrance is about to become a reality and concept plans have been submitted for replacement of this junction, known by some as "malfunction junction." The Master Planning Committee has considered three concept plans submitted by Facilities Services and provides herein its recommendations, with the firm desire to help steer UAF away from creating yet another malfunction. Central to its considerations is the issue of a pedestrian campus and an emphasis on maintaining the Tanana Loop as a primary campus road. The mixing of pedestrian and automobile traffic is to be avoided or minimized at all times.

The MPC is fully aware of the need to move forward in an expeditious manner, but in good conscience couldn't simply select from the three options without articulating shortcomings that are at odds with the MPC's interpretation of the existing campus master plan and the committee's developing vision for the future. In this case, it is the failure of the designs to adequately address the issue of pedestrians, be they walking, running, or on bicycles. A more integrated approach must be taken now and in the future, with adequate time for consideration and consultation.

Recommendation
By a vote of 10 to 1, the MPC recommends the construction of Concept Design 2, with four modifications. First, the East Tanana Loop entrance to the Noatak parking lot should be closed in order to improve traffic flow at the intersection. Second, traffic on Tanana Loop should not be impeded by stop signs at the South Chandalar intersection; in the MPC's opinion, Chandalar is not a primary road. Third, the intersection of Salcha with Chandalar should not interfere with a pedestrian corridor extending from the Patty Gym, dorms, and Lola Tily Commons areas to the main campus areas. This may be accomplished by an intersection design more like that in Concept Design 1. Fourth, the MPC unanimously supports the FMT's suggestion to construct a traffic turn-around at the Gruening Building termination of Cooper Street. The MPC unanimously supports the loss of parking spaces at the west end of the Bunnell Building parking lot if the result is improved traffic safety and flow on Tanana Loop.
[MPC recommendation "Tanana Loop 3/11/99/1"]

Recommendation
By a vote of 7 to 4, the MPC recommends that the Noatak parking lot be closed. It is recognized that a new entrance could be fashioned off Fairbanks Street after the railroad overpass is closed to vehicular traffic. The MPC recommends that this be given serious consideration, as this parking lot represents an accepted source of parking close the central campus. This consideration must include a well-developed plan as to how pedestrian traffic both from the parking lot AND from the Fairbanks Street access can be move safely across East Tanana Drive. A pedestrian overpass or underpass is to be considered in such a plan.
[MPC recommendation "Tanana Loop 3/11/99/2"]

Recommendation
The existing pedestrian corridor connects the heart of the central campus with the Patty Gym parking lots, the lower-campus dorms, and the Lola Tily Commons. Roads to the north of Tanana Loop are important; pedestrians are preeminent. The corridor exists in fact, but is de-emphasized by the lack of visual clues for pedestrians using it and drivers approaching it. It is recommended that an integrated pedestrian access plan be included as part of this effort, including wide sidewalks (7-8 feet) and lighting. The sidewalk placement and width should better direct the flow from the Lola Tily Commons area along Chandalar and Cooper towards the Wood Center and Gruening Building and across Chandalar and towards Signers' Hall. The crossing of Chandalar should be above the Chandalar-Salcha intersection and should be an obvious major pedestrian crossing. All means should be incorporated to emphasize the pedestrian nature of this area.
[MPC recommendation "Tanana Loop 3/11/99/3"]

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University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
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