The DOT is making much needed repairs to the Dalton Highway after being used and unchanged for decades.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - After decades of use and degradation, the North Slope Haul Road is in need of attention and the Alaska Dept. of Transportation has been working to enhance the roadway for the last three years.
Some sections of the Dalton Highway have not been changed since the route was laid down in 1974. Those areas 414 mile highway face significant permafrost degradation however. Thawing permafrost has caused settlement in the roadway leaving long stretches at a similar grade to the surrounding terrain which in turn makes snow drifting and vehicle stability worse.
The area between mileposts 289 and 305 is one of those areas located in a section nicknamed “no mans land.” The 16 mile stretch of roadway under repair is located just south of the Sag River. While this part of the highway has seen some work done on drainage crossings, the main roadway has been unchanged for decades. Currently the DOT is working to change that by rehabilitating the road to make it safer and to reduce maintenance costs.
The work being conducted in this area is part of a multi-year effort currently in it’s third year of operations. Operations along this stretch include raising the grade of the road which will reduce snow drifting. The DOT is also smoothing and widening the road way which will increase the width to 32 feet. There will also be replacements made to failing culverts as well as some alignment modifications to avoid utility conflicts with the Alyeska Gas Line.
Elliott Highway Alaska Department Of Transportation DOT North Slope Haul Road Permafrost Sag River Alyeska Gas Line
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