Overview
The Alaska Railroad is planning & designing an Intermodal Transportation Center with associated improvements (pedestrian amenities, transit infrastructure, parking, track modifications, etc.) in the Ship Creek area. The purpose is to facilitate connections from one transportation mode to another – rail, public transit, air, marine, bus, taxi, private vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian – and to improve links to Anchorage’s downtown business district to meet passenger transit needs over the next 30 years.
Project Design
Design of the Intermodal Tranist Center was awarded to ECI/Hyer, an Anchorage architectural firm, in July 2004. ECI/Hyer developed three concepts before settling on the final facility layout, which incorporates continued use of the existing depot with the new facility. With the structure and track plans more fully defined through the final design process, the Project Team turned its attention to the crossing.
Project Construction
Construction of the first phase of the project will include relocation of utilities and construction of two new tracks and one rehabilitated track between the existing depot and Ship Creek Avenue. Construction of the first phase is expected to begin in 2006.
Project Benefits
The project addresses the inadequacy of ARRC’s depot. The current facility has inefficient baggage handling, limited passenger service capability, and baggage handling and passenger loading/unloading activities that share a platform, resulting in conflicts.
Facility Site Plan
The project recognizes that the current depot was designed as a train passenger waiting area, and is ill-equipped to interface with other modes of transportation. Project plans call for facilities and infrastructure that can accommodate pedestrian and vehicle traffic circulation, and efficient intermodal transfers.
