Mat-Su’s new front door

Construction is underway on the Mat-Su Gateway Visitor Center near the Glenn and Parks Highway interchange in the Mat-Su Valley. The project carries an $8.4 million price tag and is targeting a May 2026 opening, ahead of peak summer travel season.

Crews have moved past foundation work and the site is visibly active to drivers passing through the interchange. The center is designed to serve as an entry point for visitors coming into the Valley, catching them as they arrive rather than after they have already passed through.

The project is expected to affect traffic patterns at the interchange, with more vehicles likely to slow down in the area once the center opens. Nearby businesses are expected to see increased visibility from the added traffic and foot presence.

The development is also expected to put pressure on surrounding land values along the corridor connecting Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. Once complete, the center is expected to become a long-term landmark tied to growth in the Mat-Su region.