Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road Interchange Improvements

Responding to Crash Trends with Forward-Looking Design

Crash data, along with a projected increase in population over the next decade, created a need to improve the off-ramps of the Steese Highway, a four-lane north-to-south highway that crosses over Chena Hot Springs Road, a two-lane east-to-west arterial. The intersection was nominated as a Highway Safety Improvement Project because of the number of left-turning and intersection crashes.

To protect drivers and improve traffic flow and safety, RESPEC designed two single-lane roundabouts at the Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road interchange, transforming a dangerous set of stop-controlled intersections into a safer, more efficient system.

Designing for Complex Geometry and Everyday Users

Public input played a key role throughout the design. The roundabouts best addressed long-term safety and operational goals, and feedback led to several design refinements, including the addition of a northbound bypass lane and a grade reduction on the western section of Chena Hot Springs Road.

These refinements had to work within a challenging setting. The Steese Highway’s four-lane overpass crosses the two-lane Chena Hot Springs Road, which creates complex geometry for any redesign. Laying two roundabouts across a crest curve demanded careful balancing of sightlines, slope, and space. Our solution integrates bypass and cut-through lanes for oversize-overweight vehicles, gated for controlled use, and adds a raised median for clear vehicle delineation. A multiuse pathway and improved crossings enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Safety, Reliability, and Room to Grow

The completed improvements reduce crash risk and keep traffic moving as the region grows. By combining smart engineering with public collaboration, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design can protect communities today and well into the future.