Crews and contractors with the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities are currently working on responding to damage caused from flash flooding on the Richardson Highway between MP 218 to MP 234, which took place on Monday, July 12. They are continuing to monitor all identified locations on state-maintained infrastructure where repair work is needed.
Damage has been identified at Boulder Creek, Lower Suzy Q Creek, Upper Suzy Q, Falls Creek, Gunnysack Creek, Darling Creek, Ruby Creek and One Mile Creek Whistler Creek, Trims Creek, Castner Creek, Lower Miller, Coyote Creek, and on the Richardson Highway at MP 220.5, 226, 230.5, 229.1, 232.1, 228, 228.9, and 209.8. Additionally, the road at Bear Creek has completely washed out on both sides of the bridge. A map of the location sites shares these locations on the Richardson washout website.
Response teams have been mobilized on the north and south ends of the closure assessing damaged areas and working on repairs. Contractors are working with DOT maintenance and operation crews to make repairs. Depending on weather conditions, the closure is expected to continue through the weekend.
The Richardson Highway between MP 218 and MP 234 traffic counts are 250 weekday travelers and 400 weekend travelers. During the closure for Valdez travel, detour around the closure by using the Tok Cutoff and the Alaska Highway.
