Chena Ridge Rd, Fairbanks, Alaska
Completing an Alaskan first at Chena Ridge
You might be interested in High Friction Surface Treatments >- Chena Ridge Road, Fairbank, Alaska
- High Friction Surface Treatments
Summary
When the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities identified that the Chena Ridge Road required high friction surface treatment, it looked for contractors that could efficiently deliver this vital road safety solution. As a result, WJ Surface Treatments, won the contract and completed the first fully automated road surface treatment in Alaska.
14,848yd²
High Friction Surface Treatment Installed
1st
Fully Automated Road Surface Treatment in Alaska.
Following a series of skidding incidents both up and down the Chena Ridge Road in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities looked to enhance the friction of the surface. To complete this important work on 14,848 square yards, it needed a contractor that could minimize the impact to road users while dealing with the varied weather conditions facing the region.
Having launched in the US in 2023, WJ Surface Treatments utilized its tried and tested skillset, developed over nearly four decades with WJ Group in the UK to deliver these treatments on American roads. This included offering fully automated high friction surface treatments where specialist vehicles are used to install materials without the need to do so by hand. Not only does this allow for a faster installation process, but it also protects workers by keeping them off the active highway.
With a track record of successful automated projects, WJ Surface Treatments offered its expertise and bid for the project. While high friction surface treatments had been installed on Alaskan highways, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities had never delivered a fully automated project.
The journey to an Alaskan first
After being appointed as the contractor for the project, the WJ Surface Treatments’ team started preparing to ship the materials and vehicles to the most northern US state. Alongside moving enough high friction surface treatment to cover 14,848 square yards, the equipment needed to be transported as well as a trained team of workers.
Discussing the preparation for the project, Robert Hivish, Director of Operations at WJ Surface Treatments said: “As the materials and the automated truck were situated at our site in Georgia, it took seven days for it to make the 1,800-mile journey to Seattle. From there, the items were placed on a barge where it took another seven days to travel to Anchorage. From there, it was driven to Fairbanks, AK. The applicating vehicle was driven from South Dakota, along the Alaskan Highway, to arrive in 6 days from the start of the journey. With our team, vehicle and materials all in place, we set out to begin the friction treatment work.”
Tackling the weather
The WJ Surface Treatments team were forced to work around various periods of rain due to a storm in the region because the resin used to bond to the road and increase the friction cannot be placed on a wet surface.
Making the most of the various dry spells as well as the long periods of sunlight, the WJ Surface Treatments team used the speed of the automated vehicle to work around the cold and damp weather conditions and lay the material. By doing this, it was able to complete the work in 16 days and limit the impact to Chena Ridge, AK locals.
A safe journey around Chena Ridge
The work carried out by WJ Surface Treatments was successful in increasing levels of grip on Chena Ridge Road. Robert continued saying: “The result of this Alaskan first is that locals driving in the area are safer and have less reason to worry about skidding while driving on the Chena Ridge Road. Our team was able to work quickly to ensure that the project was completed on time while dealing with various weather conditions that could have hindered our pace.
“The outcome of this project is highly positive, showing that new innovations can be used and executed on Alaskan roads. We hope to come back in the future to ensure each vehicle has the necessary grip to drive safely.”
