(HOMER) The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) has informed District R Senator Gary Stevens that it is asking for contractor price quotes for the addition of a turn lane at Kachemak Drive in Homer as part of the ongoing East End Road Project. The news comes in response to a request from Senator Stevens in late-July that the department add a turn lane at the heavily traveled Kachemak Drive intersection.

"Many Homer area constituents expressed their desire for a turn lane at the East Road and Kachemak Drive intersection. It is my understanding that a traffic study conducted in 2001 indicated that 600 vehicles daily turned on to Kachemak Drive from East End Road. Given the traffic volume, a separate turn lane makes a lot of sense," Senator Stevens commented.

In a letter to Senator Stevens, Gordon C. Keith, DOTPF Regional Director stated that while the construction budget is very tight, the department will move forward with construction of a turn lane at Kachemak Drive, as well as near the Paul Banks School if the price is reasonable.

Senator Stevens commended department officials for their swift response to the request.

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