This 26-foot tower was built in far northern Alaska, off the Dalton Highway near Toolik Field Station, a research site operated by the University of Alaska’s Fairbanks Institute of Arctic Biology.
Located in the Arctic tundra, the tower is equipped with scientific monitoring equipment. An adjacent instrument hut houses sensitive data processing electronics. The area immediately surrounding the tower and instrument hut was preserved to maintain its environmental integrity during construction. Elevated boardwalks were installed around the tower and hut for access and to minimize site disruption.
The approach to this project involved two separate mobilizations. Mobilization 1 (winter) involved establishing the construction limits, post drilling, mass excavation at the generator and staging area, pre-staging of construction materials and installation of the precast foundation system. Once work was complete, the crew demobilized and did not return again until travel to the site was permitted by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Mobilization 2 (summer) included tower erection and completion of all remaining project features.
The Toolik Observatory Tower is an Eagle Award of Excellence winner, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC).
