Alaska News

More flood protection planned for Dalton Highway

The Alaska Department of Transportation is taking additional steps to protect the northern section of the highway that leads to North Slope oil fields.

Highway officials will build a gravel berm next to the Dalton Highway to protect it from overflow from the Sagavanirktok River, generally referred to as the Sag River.

The berm is planned east of the highway from Miles 394 to 397. Construction is expected to begin by mid-February.

The Dalton Highway begins north of Fairbanks at the Elliott Highway and ends at Deadhorse.

Miles 395 to 405 last spring saw unprecedented highway flooding.

Crews over the summer raised nine miles of road 8 to 10 feet. Crews this year have built snow berms and burlap fences. The burlap wicks water and freezes, forming a barrier.

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