LifeFairbanks · July 20, 2026
a new walk on the chena
Fairbanks North Star Borough planners are reviving a decade-old plan for a riverside path along the Chena River.
Daily Alaska staff · July 20, 2026 · Fairbanks
Fairbanks North Star Borough transportation planners are working to revive a decade-old plan for a scenic pedestrian path along the north bank of the Chena River, connecting to the existing footbridge between Pioneer Park and the Carlson Center. The path would run about 1,600 feet west along the river, giving residents near downtown Fairbanks a new riverside walking option in the heart of town.
The project has been stalled by cost. The original design was estimated at about 7 million dollars, a figure that has grown sixfold over the past decade, putting it out of reach for the borough on its own.
The borough is now waiting on the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to return with more affordable design options, with an answer expected in August. Buying the right of way needed for the path would be covered entirely by federal funding, and local governments would only need to cover about nine percent of the cost to actually build it, with federal dollars covering the rest.
If the design comes back at a workable price, construction could begin within the next couple of years.
In this story
Questions people ask
Where would the new Chena River pedestrian path go?
It would run about 1,600 feet west along the river's north bank and connect to the footbridge between Pioneer Park and the Carlson Center.
How much would the Chena River path cost?
The original estimate was about 7 million dollars a decade ago, and costs have grown sixfold since then.
Who pays for the Chena River path project?
Federal funding covers the cost of buying the land, while local governments would pay about 9 percent of construction costs.
When will there be cheaper design options for the path?
The Alaska Department of Transportation is expected to return with more affordable design options in August.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- The Fairbanks North Star Borough is pursuing a pedestrian path along the Chena River's north bank connecting to the footbridge between Pioneer Park and the Carlson Center. · webcenterfairbanks.com
- The original design cost about 7 million dollars and has grown sixfold over the past decade. · webcenterfairbanks.com
- Buying the right of way would be fully federally funded, with local governments covering about 9 percent of construction. · webcenterfairbanks.com
- The Alaska Department of Transportation is expected to return with cheaper design options in August. · webcenterfairbanks.com
Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →