Seward Highway, Whittier Tunnel Closed

Updates on closures

Tools

By CBS 11 News
Bio

Story Created: Jan 10, 2012 at 11:33 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 10, 2012 at 1:49 PM AKDT

UPDATE: The Seward Highway is closed from Milepost 112 to Milepost 38; travel is not advised. This closure is effective until further notice.

Avalanches and whiteout conditions are causing very dangerous conditions for drivers on the Seward Highway. At 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, the Seward Highway was closed between Potter Marsh and Girdwood. Avalanches occurred in the McHugh Creek area and debris reached the northbound lane. Avalanche risk has also prompted the closure of the Whittier Tunnel. The Department of Transportation says road crews have been deployed and drivers should be cautious of plow trucks. In Homer, the extreme weather and driving conditions have closed schools and offices. Updates on road conditions can be found at 511.alaska.gov or by dialing 511.
 

From the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities:

For Immediate Release January 10, 2012 (ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – A winter snow storm and two early morning avalanches have combined to create extremely dangerous driving conditions, prompting the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Faculties to close the Seward Highway between Potter Marsh and Girdwood.  This closure is effective from 9:00am and will extend until further notice. Reported conditions on the highway are of white-out conditions with little to no visibility, drifting snow and severe winter storm conditions.  The traveled way was reduced to one lane in certain segments. The avalanches occurred in the McHugh Creek area and slide debris reached the northbound lane of the Seward Highway.  Assessments of the avalanche events and conditions may justify avalanche risk reduction work along the highway during the closure.   Similar conditions in Portage Valley have also prompted the closure of the Whittier Tunnel. Further south, the Kenai Peninsula was the first in line for the storm front and extremely dangerous conditions are being reported area-wide, including: 1. Anchor Point – 8” to 10” of snow with 30mph winds, snow drifts and poor visibility. 2. Seward – Over 1’ of snow, 40mph winds, extreme blizzard conditions 3. Homer – 60mph gusts, 6’ to 7’ drifts, extreme driving conditions, schools and offices closed. 4. Kodiak – 38 degree F winds, rain on ice, Airport currently closed   “DOT&PF road crews and equipment have been fully deployed since the onset of the storm and will remain on the job as we work to bring road conditions back to the safe and acceptable condition the public expects,” said DOT&PF Commissioner Marc Luiken. ADOT&PF advises folks in these areas to avoid driving if at all possible, but if you have to drive, expect extremely difficult wintertime driving conditions, and to drive cautiously and at reduced speeds.  In addition, drivers can expect to encounter road crews and plow trucks, and should exercise caution. Updates on road conditions can be found at the 511.alaska.gov website or by dialing 511 on your telephone. Further new releases will follow this as additional information is available.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.