Weather

Alaska highway crews monitor river overflow near road to Arctic

State highway officials are watching overflow that has emerged near a northern section of the Dalton Highway.

The Alaska Department of Transportation says overflow is along Miles 395 to 405. That's the same section that saw unprecedented highway flooding last spring from the Sag River.

Overflow so far is not threatening the road.

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and University of Alaska Fairbanks personnel are monitoring overflow with data provided by the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

State crews are building snow berms and installing burlap fences. The burlap wicks water and freezes, forming a barrier next to the road.

Also helping is the height of the road. About nine miles of road was raised 8 to 10 feet last summer.

Satellite imagery is helping identify the path of overflow.

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