The City and Borough of Juneau’s Crest Street Reconstruction Project will begin on Monday, September 13, and will run until the end of October. A portion of Crest Street located between Old Dairy Road and Mallard Street intersections will be rebuilt and completely closed during this time. A new roadway, sidewalk, street lighting, and drainage features will be constructed. The public is asked to use caution in the area and abide by traffic signage and flagging. For drivers, access to Mallard Street will be via Jordan Ave or Alpine Ave.

Capital Transit is also adjusting routes on all buses servicing the Nugget Mall and changes go into effect Monday, September 13. Service changes include no service to bus stops behind the Nugget Mall, all Valley transfers occurring at the Mendenhall Mall, and modified routing for Express Routes 5, 6, and 8 buses:

• No service to the bus stops behind the Nugget Mall:
  • Transfers will occur at the Mendenhall Mall.
  • New temporary stops on Glacier Hwy in front of Nugget Mall near Jordan Ave and across the street in front of Jordan Creek Center.    

• Modified routing for Valley Buses (Routes 3 & 4):
  • Buses will provide service to the Mendenhall Mall both before and after traveling around Back Loop. 
    • Outbound to Mendenhall Loop Rd and Auke Bay buses will leave at :18 and :48 after each hour.
    • Inbound to Downtown buses will leave at :10 and :40 after each hour.

• Modified routing for Routes 5 & 6 Express Buses:
  • Downtown routing will begin across from Centennial Hall and travel down Willoughby Ave toward the Federal Building. This map shows Capital Transit downtown service routing.
  • Route 6 Riverside Express will provide service to the Juneau International Airport at :27 after each hour. Transfers to other buses can be made at the Mendenhall Mall. Route 5 University Express will NOT provide service to the Airport stop. The airport may also be accessed from the stops on Glacier Hwy near Shell Simmons Dr about 0.3 miles away. 

• Modified routing for Route 8 Valley Express:
  • No service to Franklin or 4^th St. Please wait for the bus at the Downtown Transit Center.
  • Buses will continue all the way around Back Loop to the Mendenhall Mall.
  • Mendenhall Mall to Downtown inbound service will be provided from 3:21 pm until 4:21 pm.  See modified schedule here. 

Next year, from spring 2022 to August 2022, the rest of Crest Street between Yandukin Dr and Mallard St will be rebuilt.

Construction began this month on the City and Borough of Juneau’s Capital Transit Valley Transfer Station project, located along Mendenhall Mall Road between Asiana Garden and Glacier Auto Parts/NAPA. Throughout September, there will be intermittent traffic delays and construction flagging during low-traffic daytime hours while CBJ-contractor Admiralty Construction performs underground utility work across Riverside Drive. The public is asked to use caution in the area and abide by traffic signage and flagging.

The overall project includes a new transit station that will be utilized as a rider transfer site, driver breakroom, public restroom, bus shelters, and parking lot for transit users. Several electric vehicle chargers and bicycle lockers will also be included. Construction work will include new water and sewer services, a new storm drain system, earthwork, concrete flatwork, and asphalt paving. Work is expected to take place through June 2022.

For more information, contact Capital Transit at 789-6901.

The City and Borough of Juneau’s public bus system Capital Transit has resumed regular service to the Bartlett Regional Hospital bus stop. The stop had been temporarily moved due to construction for CBJ’s Hospital Drive Reconstruction Project. Thank you for your patience during this phase of the project.    

For more information, call Capital Transit at 789-6901.

Beginning the week of June 21, Capital Transit bus service along Glacier Highway in Lemon Creek may be intermittently disrupted due to construction from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Lemon Creek Improvement Project. Please note the following changes:

• Bus stops along this route may be intermittently moved to accommodate construction; please look for temporary Capital Transit bus stop signs. 
• Bus shelters along Glacier Highway from the Dragon Inn to Switzer Village will be temporarily removed, including the Anka Street shelters. Buses will still stop there unless the stop has been temporarily moved.
• Routes may also be delayed.

Your continued patience is appreciated. 

For more information on the service changes, call Capital Transit at 789-6901.

Due to the reduced CBJ community risk level, Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess will remove rider limits and route revisions that were put in place due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Effective immediately, Capital Transit and Capital AKcess maximum rider limits will be lifted and will resume full capacity service.  Health and safety measures will remain in place including face coverings which are required by federal law on all public transportation.  Capital Transit is asking the passengers to board through the front door and exit through the rear door whenever possible. 

Effective Monday, June 14^th, Capital Transit will resume normal scheduling including the Express Routes 5 and 6 with service to the Juneau International Airport and the University of Alaska and discontinue the modified express service between the Downtown Transit Center and the Mendenhall Mall.  Modifications due to construction are still in effect. For more information, call Capital Transit at 789-6901.     

Capital Transit adjusts bus stops due to construction in Douglas

INFORMATION RELEASE
May 18, 2021

The State of Alaska’s Douglas Bridge and Highway Resurfacing and Sidewalk Repairs project is causing intermittent service changes to Capital Transit bus stops near the Douglas Breeze In:

• Effective immediately, the inbound to Douglas stop across from the Breeze In will be closed.
• Beginning the week of May 24, the inbound to Juneau stop in front of the Breeze In will be moved closer to the roundabout.

The changes will be in effect until construction in those immediate areas are complete. Your continued patience is appreciated.

For more information, call Capital Transit at 789-6901.

CBJ revises rules on masking in light of updated CDC guidance

INFORMATION RELEASE
May 14, 2021

If you are fully vaccinated, the City and Borough of Juneau no longer requires masks be worn in most indoor or outdoor settings. CBJ revised its COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies to reflect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance for fully vaccinated people. Individuals are fully vaccinated two weeks after the receipt of one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or the second dose in a two-dose series. CDC still recommends unvaccinated people wear masks and social distance. Everyone – regardless of vaccination status – must continue to wear a mask on Capital Transit, in Juneau International Airport, Juneau School District facilities, Bartlett Regional Hospital, and in any local business, workplace, healthcare, or other setting that still requires it.

“This will feel like an abrupt change to some people and it will take time to get comfortable with these new rules. Some fully vaccinated people may still choose to wear masks, and that’s OK,” City Manager Rorie Watt said. “Juneau has worked hard at keeping COVID-19 in check and we’ve made good strides in our vaccination rate. But let’s not forget that kids under the age of 12 cannot, at this time, get the vaccine. While most kids with COVID-19 have mild cases, some do develop serious illness or long-lasting symptoms. As our community transitions to these updated mitigation strategies, it’s important to be considerate and respectful of our neighbors.”

With more than 50 percent of Juneau fully vaccinated, the overall community risk level is still at Level 1b – Minimal. These revised mitigation strategies, which are currently in effect, no longer have restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals:

• Masks/Social Distance: Masks must still be worn in indoor public areas and outdoors in crowded events by those who are not yet fully vaccinated.
• Large Gatherings: Indoor gathering size should be limited to maintain 6-ft social distance if people who are not fully vaccinated are present. Masks must be worn by those who are not fully vaccinated.
• Restaurants and Bars: Patrons who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask unless actively eating or drinking. Maintaining 5 feet distance between parties/tables is recommended.
• Personal Services and Gyms: Masks must be worn by those who are not fully vaccinated. Limiting capacity to maintain 6-ft social distance is recommended.
• Travel: Follow State of Alaska Health Advisories. Unvaccinated travelers are recommended (but not required) to either take a pre-travel test or a free COVID-19 airport test, avoid indoor public areas and crowded locations until you get your test result, and return to the airport for a follow-up test in 5-14 days.

Find out where to get a COVID-19 vaccine at juneau.org/vaccine or here. For more information, email COVIDquestions@juneau.org.

INFORMATION RELEASE
April 14, 2021

Hospital Drive Reconstruction Project starts Friday, April 16

Construction for the City and Borough of Juneau’s Hospital Drive Reconstruction project will begin on April 16 and end around June 15. The project involves installing a new water line in the area. During construction, drivers, bus riders, and pedestrians will experience the following traffic changes:

• Hospital Drive will be closed from Salmon Creek Lane to Hospital Access Road. Emergency vehicles, visitors, and employees will have to travel on Salmon Creek Lane to arrive at their destination.
• The Capital Transit bus stop at Bartlett Regional Hospital will be temporarily moved to the parking lot across from the Juneau Medical Center. Capital Transit will conduct bus service for the hospital campus by traveling on Salmon Creek Lane and turning around on Hospital Access Road. The new bus route will continue throughout the duration of this phase of construction.
• Pedestrian access will be provided on Hospital Drive for as much of the construction project as possible.

For more information on the project, contact CBJ Project Manager John Nelson at 957-2187 or John.Nelson@juneau.org, or Justin Kanouse with DOWL at 723-9701 or jkanouse@dowl.com. For more information on Capital Transit, call 789-6901.

INFORMATION RELEASE
April 8, 2021

Capital Transit unveils first all-electric, zero-emission bus
Bus will be in service starting April 14

Juneau residents will begin to see Capital Transit’s first battery-electric bus in service and on the road April 14. This is the first electric bus owned and operated by a public transit agency in Alaska.

“The City and Borough of Juneau is committed to bringing clean, safe, and reliable public transportation to its ridership and the community,” Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester said. “Capital Transit drivers and mechanics have been retraining to operate and maintain the new 40-foot long bus and to learn the nuances of its integrated battery management system. We have eliminated oil changes.”

Capital Transit unveiled the bus, manufactured in California by Proterra, during an event earlier today. Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon hosted the dedication ceremony of the first battery-electric bus to join Capital Transit’s fleet. Guests included Governor Mike Dunleavy, State Senator Jesse Kiehl, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Commissioner John MacKinnon, and Proterra representative Mark Hollenbeck.

The new bus will be servicing the Mendenhall Express route, which travels via Glacier Highway between the Downtown Transit Center and the Mendenhall Mall, which is the location of Capital Transit’s future transfer site.

Original funding for the electric bus came from the U.S Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through the Low-or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant Program. The program provides funding for state and local governmental authorities to purchase or lease zero-emission and low-emission transit buses. Funding was passed through DOT&PF and a matching grant was provided by the Alaska Energy Authority under the Volkswagen Settlement fund. Capital Transit already uses three electric cars as support vehicles, purchased through grant funding from DOT&PF.

The CBJ Assembly has set a goal of 80 percent renewable energy by 2045. The bus is another step toward that goal and, with the help of many supporters, Capital Transit has been successful in being awarded Low- and No-Emission grants for four consecutive years. CBJ plans to use those funds to replace seven 201 diesel buses that are at the end of their useful life.

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For more information, contact Capital Transit’s Denise Guizio at 907-789-6901 or denise.guizio@juneau.org

INFORMATION RELEASE
February 23, 2021.

Wearing masks on public transportation & at airport is a CBJ requirement. It’s also federal law.

To prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Juneau, members of the public have long been required to wear a mask on public transportation and at the Juneau International Airport. As of last month, the rule is also a federal law. Capital Transit, CAPITAL AKcess, and the Juneau International Airport require proper wearing of face masks at all times. Failure to comply will result in denial of service on Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess; or removal or denial of entry at the airport.

• You must wear a mask that has two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven over your mouth and nose at all times when riding a Capital Transit or CAPITAL AKcess bus, at bus stops, and at transit centers; as well as at the airport.
• The following face coverings are not authorized and are not substitutes for a double-layered mask: plastic face shields, masks with valves, ski masks, scarves, bandannas, single layer gators, loose knitted material used as a face covering, and coat cuffs.
• Children under the age of 2 are exempt from the law, as well as those who need a medical exemption.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Order implements President Biden’s Executive Order 13998, “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel.” The Transportation Security Administration also issued a Security Directive requiring masks.

Fore more information, contact Capital Transit at 789-6901.