The Washington Post article hints at some of the differences between their repair and more permanent work:
> Alaska DOT spokeswoman Shannon McCarthy was quick to emphasize that this was emergency repair work and not a regular transportation project.
> The latter requires permitting, survey operations, geotechnical work and a host of other prerequisites — and those finished roadways are designed to last, say, 20 years, she said.
> “All of those things take a lot of time,” McCarthy told The Washington Post. “This is not that kind of project. This is a project to restore essential travel.”
> While the repaired road is safe for drivers, it will require additional work after the spring arrives, she added.
https://inhabitat.com/japanese-workers-take-just-6-days-to-f...
The side-by-side picture is stunning.