Jun. 18—The road to Alaska’s North Slope oil fields and the U.S. Arctic Ocean reopened Wednesday after snowmelt floods washed part of the road away, causing a five-day shutdown.
The 415-mile Dalton Highway reopened at noon with traffic control and some single-lane sections in place, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
The largely dirt-gravel road was closed on Saturday for more than 50 miles, between Milepost 305 to 356, after the flooding caused problems at multiple sites.
Milepost 315, about 100 miles south of the road’s end near the North Slope oil fields, suffered the most damage after a culvert failed. Crews raced to install replacement culverts.
The flooding was caused by a sudden warmup to above-normal temperatures, following an extended, colder-than-normal spring. It stranded camper vehicles along the closed section and delayed shipments needed for the oil fields. No one was hurt, according to the transportation department, and companies said they had extra fuel, food and other items to weather the freight delays.
“Upon reopening, travelers should expect traffic control to remain in place between Milepost 315 and Milepost 345,” the state said in an emailed statement. “Several locations will continue operating as single-lane sections due to storm-related damage. While repairs have been completed in key areas, including Happy Valley (at Milepost 335), delays are still likely and we encourage all drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.”
Crews are still working at Milepost 315, where the road will be down to one lane, the statement said.
At the Happy Valley section, “crews have repaired the void under the roadway and installed erosion control measures,” the statement said. “There are currently no traffic impacts in this area.”
Culvert repairs and one-lane travel will also be taking place at Milepost 345.5, the statement said.
“Between (Milepost) 401 and 403, high water levels caused by wind and runoff continue to be monitored,” the statement said. “No erosion has been observed so far.”
Updates are available at publicinput.com/n86576, and live road reports are available at 511.alaska.gov.