Mendenhall Spur Road: Improvements to Ease Vehicle and Pedestrian Congestion and Improve Visitor Experience

The purpose of this project is to analyze, design, and implement traffic management strategies that will enhance access to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC) while improving the visitor experience and safety.

The May 2007 Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center - Vehicular and Pedestrian Congestion Study (Final Report) for the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Alaska Region noted that safety and wayfinding improvements were recommended before the opening of the 2007 season. Traffic management strategies and minor design changes to moderate the flow of visitors were recommended for the short term. For the long term, a more comprehensive management plan to assess and plan for resource use was recommended. In conjunction with this study, a request was made for Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands (ATPPL) funds for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) elements needed to enable more effective bus traffic management at the Visitor Center. The project will focus on the goal of metering arriving and departing traffic through intelligent traffic systems and way-finding enhancements that mesh with State ITS architecture.