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Is Glenn Highway Overpass Too Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Some Muldoon residents say it's a public safety hazard
By Megan Edge
ANCHORAGE - If you've been to the Tikahtnu Commons area in Muldoon, you've probably noticed all of the vehicle traffic. The crossing over the Glenn Highway is now busier than ever since the mall began expanding in the last two years.
Those who walk that overpass say it's dangerous and a public safety issue.
That bridge connects Muldoon to the Commons, the V.A. Clinic, the Heritage Center and Bartlett High School. They say the walk will only get more dangerous when winter hits.
Denise Chapas' daughter is a freshman at Bartlett High. She could take the tunnel, but there are risks with that, as well.
Her daughter, Bryanna Davis, said none of her friends feel safe walking to or from school.
“You're walking and like no cars are watching for you, and usually I walk with some friends, and sometimes I walk by myself, and there are strangers and no one really cares or watches out for you,” Davis said.
Bartlett high sophomore Katherine Bigham couldn't agree more.
“If you look down to check your phone or something and look up, there is a car right there – you get really scared.”
She says this overpass will only get more dangerous and more difficult to cross when the snow falls.
“It is really slippery, and where the bridge is there is no other side to it and then there is this big ditch, so you never know if someone is going to slide.”
It's an issue those who are running for state office for the region say needs to be addressed.
“When there are vehicles here, where there are pedestrians here, when there is snow here, we all believe that this is an accident waiting to happen,” said Barbara Bachmeier, a Republican write-in candidate for House District 13, where the overpass is located.
Muldoon residents say it's an accident that can be prevented.
KTVA did call other candidates for that district – both Senate and House – but Bachmeier was the only one who called back before the deadline. Still, many of the candidates have said that safety is a concern in that area.
