This 26-ft. vertical tower is located 370 miles north of Fairbanks in the arctic tundra, north of the Toolik Research Station, a site operated by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The tower is equipped with scientific monitoring equipment and an adjacent instrument hut houses sensitive data processing electronics. The area immediately surrounding the tower and instrument hut was preserved to maintain the environmental integrity of the area during construction. Elevated boardwalks were installed around the tower and hut for access and to minimize the site disruption.
The approach involved (2) 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 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).
